Kames Capital, the London-based investment manager which recently rebranded from AEGON Asset Management, is opening an office in Hong Kong and appointing a head of business development for Asia.

James Cooper joins Kames Capital from Liminal Image, which provides consulting services to the financial services industry. Prior to this he was country head and investment director for Australia at Standard Life Investments, having previously been investment director for Hong Kong.

Reporting to Kames Capital’s head of distribution Martin Harris, Cooper will be responsible for developing the business across the Asian market.

Initially Kames Capital will look at
developing interest among Asian investors with its franchise in fixed income and in property, said the firm in a statement.

Kames Capital has a growing business in Europe, particularly in Switzerland, and also recently rebranded to become Kames Capital
from AEGON Asset Management UK in September 2011.

"In the medium term we
want to have some of our investment people based in Asia, this will help our
management of both insurance company assets and third party assets. We
also recognise that Asian based investors want their money to be managed in the
region if at all possible. As such we hope to be able to offer Asian funds to
Asian investors managed and run by Kames Capital in Asia," said Harris.