Gartmore has appointed Paul Graham as head of global alternatives, effective early April.

Graham (photo) was previously global head of alternative sales, business development and client service at Baring Asset Management.

Based in London, he will join Gartmore in early April and report to Phil Wagstaff, Gartmore's global head of distribution.

Over the last ten years Graham's career has encompassed business development roles, predominantly with a focus on alternatives products. In his new role, he will lead the implementation of Gartmore's alternative product and distribution strategy.

He will also be tasked with building on Gartmore's hedge fund range and core European client base, while developing new relationships in the US, Middle East and Asia.

'Gartmore has been a major player in the hedge fund sphere for nearly a decade,' Wagstaff says. 'During this time we have forged strong and successful client relationships across Europe, Japan and the US and have developed a diversified range of hedge fund products with a long and distinguished track record of delivering alpha.

'Not only has this range has proven its worth in extremely challenging markets, but we have met client redemptions without imposing gates. We are confident that such performance will act as a springboard for further growth in the US, Middle East and Asian markets.'

Martin Phipps will continue his long standing contribution to the Gartmore Alternatives business, reporting to Graham as head of European alternatives.

Gartmore is a multi-product asset management firm that provides investment management products and services to retail and institutional investors in the UK, continental Europe, the US, Japan and South America.

Headquartered in London, Gartmore also has offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid and Tokyo. The company is owned by Hellman & Friedman with Gartmore's senior fund managers and executives.