UK- UBS Global Asset Management has appointed Merrill Lynch’s Michael Housden as a managing director within the client portfolio management team, a role that makes him responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships in the UK and overseas.

Previously he held a client relationship management role with MLIM and before that spent 11 years with Towers Perrin where he ended up a partner in 1994. In his new role he will report to Matthew Stemp, chief investment officer for the UK and head of the client portfolio management team.

The appointment follows on the heels of UBS hiring Ian Lewis, also from MLIM, as head of consultant relationships.

Commenting on Housden's appointment Paul Yates, chief executive of UBS Global AM in the UK, said: "Michael brings a wealth of investment experience and client servicing expertise to our business at a time when we are concentrating on communicating and marketing our investment capabilities."

UBS has manages £270 billion in assets.