Boutique asset manager Crux Asset Management (Crux), has added to its Asian equities investment team with the appointments of research analysts Ishaan Bhatia and Ryan Soh.

The analysts supported Ewan Markson-Brown, the highly regarded ex-Baillie Gifford Asia investment manager recently appointed at Crux, for a number of years as outsourced Asian experts. Mr Markson-Brown will lead the firm’s expansion into Asia with the launch of two new equity strategies in September.

Specialising in evaluating public and private stage growth opportunities in India and Greater China & South East Asia respectively, the pair both worked with Mr Markson-Brown on the Baillie Gifford Pacific Fund and the Pacific Horizon Investment Trust, which both ranked in the top decile for one-, three- and five-year performance in its sector.

Mr Bhatia, who is based in Mumbai, previously worked at a range of asset managers including Aravt Global, Arisaig Partners and J.P. Morgan. Mr Soh has also worked at emerging market specialist Mobius Capital Partners, Smartkarma, and Blackfriars Asset Management.

Karen Zachary, CEO at Crux, said: “Ahead of our launch into the region, we continue to build on our highly experienced team with quality hires with specialist knowledge and experience in creating investor value from Asian markets. Ishaan and Ryan have demonstrated a strong track record in identifying high-conviction opportunities in Asia through an intimate knowledge of their markets, which will help CRUX tremendously as we build a regional strategy that will deliver long-term positive returns for our global investor base.”

Zachary added that further hires are imminent as the firm looks to strengthen its Asian equities capabilities.