UK fund manager Gartmore has named the new leader for its Asian equities division.

Jan de Bruijn has been appointed head of Asian equities and will work under Chris Palmer on Gartmore’s Global Emerging Markets team in London.

As well as managing the Gartmore Pacific Opportunities Fund and Gartmore SICAV Asia Pacific Fund, Mr de Bruijn will lend support to the development of an alternatives business in Asian equities

Prior to this appointment Mr de Bruijn worked for Threadneedle Asset Management as a manager of Asian Equity long-only, institutional and hedge fund strategies.

“We see a continued growth in the size and complexity of Asian emerging markets. With a positive outlook for economic growth, Jan’s appointment allows us to add a dedicated focus to these important markets, building on our existing strengths in areas such as Latin America and China,” said Mr Palmer.