Joseph Pacini (pictured) has been appointed Head of BlackRock Alternative Investors (BAI) Strategy Group, Asia Pacific ex-Japan. Pacini joins from J P Morgan Private Bank (Asia) where he was head of alternative investments. In his new role based in Hong Kong, Pacini will be responsible for growing BlackRock’s alternatives business across the region, working in close collaboration with BlackRock’s Global BAI Strategy Group to develop client-focused alternative investment strategies and build out the firm’s alternatives platform and product suite. “We believe investors looking to build dynamic and diversified portfolios should consider alternatives and investing in our team ensures we provide the leadership our clients need in this area,” said Mark McCombe, Chairman of BlackRock, Asia Pacific, with Rick Arney, Head of Hedge Funds for BAI Strategy Group, adding: “The recruitment of Joseph is a significant milestone in BlackRock’s commitment to building a world-class alternatives business in Asia Pacific. Joseph brings a strong track record of building highly successful alternative investment teams in Asia.” As at end-December 2011 BlackRock managed USD105billion globally in alternative assets covering hedge funds, private equity and real estate.