Edinburgh-based global asset manager Standard Life Investments announced the appointment of a new team and CEO in Singapore, a big step in the firm’s global growth strategy and commitment to Asia Pacific.

The four-strong team in the new Singapore office comprises Choon Wah Wong as CEO Standard Life Investments (Singapore) Pte Ltd and head of Asia Pacific real estate; Ted Roy, deputy fund manager; Jason Lam, associate investment director, Asia wholesale sales; and Tervinder Chal, head of Asia Pacific real estate finance and operations.

In addition to the Singapore team, Mark Baker, fund manager for emerging market debt has moved from London to Hong Kong, bringing further fund management expertise to Standard Life Investments’ Asia Pacific team.

Standard Life Investments, which manages assets of about £270 billion, already has a client base in Singapore, focusing on private banking and institutional investors.

Jason Lam, associate investment director, Asia wholesale sales, will relocate to Singapore from Hong Kong, to continue developing client relationships in Singapore and wholesale distribution opportunities across Asia.

Standard Life Investments’ chief investment officer Rod Paris said: “The new team led by Choon Wah, along with our growing Asia Pacific team, will strengthen our regional franchise and extend our global investment and product manufacturing capability.

“Building presence on the ground in Singapore allows us to be closer to investors and gain deeper insight into regional markets.”

Standard Life Investments is one of Europe’s largest real estate investors, managing $20.7 billion of assets in direct real estate, public listed real estate and real estate debt globally.

Its emerging market fixed income team manages $1.5 billion of assets on behalf of global clients.

Standard Life Investments is currently applying for a Capital Markets Services Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.