The Tokyo-headquartered asset manager has created a new London-based role for the emerging market debt specialist.

Nikko Asset Management has appointed Raphael Marechal from BlackRock as senior portfolio manager, global emerging markets.

Marechal, previously a senior member of BlackRock's emerging markets team, joins Nikko's global fixed income team in London. He brings almost 20 years’ experience of managing emerging market debt, having also worked at BNP Paribas Investment Partners and Fortis Investments.

“Our global fixed income capability in London has grown substantially and the addition of such an experienced emerging market debt and currencies specialist as Raphael further enhances our overall offering,” said Yu-Ming Wang, the firm's global head of investment.

“This appointment is also further evidence of Nikko Asset Management’s commitment to offering investors access to high quality debt and currency investments in exciting emerging markets.”

The firm had $146.4 billion of assets under management as of the end of September 2015. Its global fixed income capabilities cover developed and emerging markets, European credit, green bonds and multi-currency money market funds.