UK - Britannic Asset Management says it has hired a former Baring and Mercer executive to head sales to pension funds.

The Glasgow-based group said that Keith Thomas would spearhead its sales efforts with potential pension fund clients.

It said he was formerly an assistant director of UK institutional business at Baring Asset Management. Before that he was a senior consultant at William Mercer.

He would be based in London and will also develop Britannic's relationships with manager of manager firms and will help with consultancy relationships.

“The difficulties currently faced by the pension industry mean that closer communication with clients and consultants is our key priority and this appointment demonstrates our commitment," said Fiona Ross, head of Britannic AM’s institutional division. Thomas will report to Ross.

In November the company said it hired Finlay MacDonald from Glasgow Investment Managers as a UK investment manager in the UK.