The move brings in ready made macro fund team to “deepen the investment bench.”

Subject to SFC approval, CQS, the asset house founded 20 years ago by Sir Michael Hintze, is bringing on the Asia macro team from collapsed hedge fund firm City Financial, which fell into administration last March. Geoff Barker will lead the team, bringing with him Nick Bibby, Neil Scrase, Vishal Mahtani, Chrisy Law, Amanda Chan and Ivan Kan. All seven will join CQS in Hong Kong. Barker managed the ASIA EM Macro strategy, known as Counterpoint, which London-based City Financial launched in Hong Kong under Barker in 2014.

In a statement CQS said that Barker, previously with Ballingal Investment Advisors and a former HSBC economist, will manage the same Asia macro fund and strategy at CQS as he did for Counterpoint, which will be "complementary to CQS’ existing Asian and global capabilities." The firm declined to disclose the size of the fund. The multi-strategy manager has $17.4 billion under management with offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

CQS' chief executive, Xavier Rolet, said: “Asia is the fastest growing capital market globally, with China forecast to contribute 50 per cent of all new net assets under management from 2017 to 2021. Our clients are increasingly asking us how to best participate in this growth and to provide investment solutions for them.”

Barker said CQS’ global platform would give his team "access to the best minds, high quality research, and state-of-the-art systems and technical support. I have known people at CQS both in Hong Kong and London for many years, so there is trust and good chemistry,” he said.