AMP Capital has boosted its alternatives team with the appointment of Dr Alistair Rew as senior portfolio manager and Celine Nguyen as portfolio manager.

Rew, right, comes to the position after roles at XL Group, working in the firm’s London, New York and Sydney offices, where he was managing director and had responsibility for the hedge fund program.

Nguyen has more than six years’ experience as a research analyst at US-based EIM management, where she conducted due diligence on a range of strategies such as long/short equity, convertible arbitrage, global macro, credit and event-driven investing.

The new hires bring AMP’s alternatives team to five investment specialists, who are supported by specialised advisers, dedicated legal, tax and operational resources.

New chief at Ascalon

Westpac subsidiary Ascalon Capital Managers has announced the appointment of Chuak Chan as chief executive officer.

Chan was appointed head of Ascalon Asia in July 2011 with a mandate to develop the firm’s business in the region through licensing and partnerships.

The Ascalon model is to take equity stakes in and work as a business partner with boutique asset managers.

Ascalon director David Lees said Chan had significant management experience at a major institution and a boutique firm, and came to the chief executive role after 25 year’s experience in the asset management industry, 13 of them in Asia.