JANA Investment Advisers has increased its team of consultants covering alternative assets to 16, following the hire of a direct investments specialist from Access Capital Advisers.

Claire Simpson has joined JANA after four years with Access Capital Advisers, which is understood to have had several staff departures recently, the most high-profile of which was founding director and 24 per cent shareholder in the Canberra-based firm, Paddy Jilek.

The CEO of JANA, Ian Patrick, said Simpson would review potential opportunities across private equity, infrastructure and property, as well as assist clients with the ongoing management of their existing unlisted portfolios.

Simpson has had previous experience at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in structured finance, and PricewaterhouseCoopers in taxation.