First State has established an emerging market debt team after capturing F&C Asset Management's Helene Williamson.

The fund house is to launch two funds targeting the asset class, which it believes has strong investment prospects.
 
Williamson, formerly head of emerging market debt at F&C, will start in September and will be supported by four new London-based investment specialists.

At F&C, Williamson was head of emerging market debt for the past 15 years and was also head of fixed income for five years.

In her new role, Williamson will report to Gary Withers, regional managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at First State.

Withers said, 'Our group is a leading emerging markets asset manager and this is our first step in the development of our skill set in emerging markets debt and building on our existing investment expertise in fixed income.'

In the wake of Williamson's departure F&C has appointed senior fund manager Jonathan Mann as head of emerging market debt.

Mann said, 'F&C has a long history in Emerging Market Debt, spanning over 140-years, and we look forward to growing our presence further.

'We have recently made two new important hires to the team, which we will announce in due course and we will look to grow the team further. This is a strong sign of F&C's commitment to this asset class.'

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