A-P Fonden 1, one of the Swedish national pension funds, has appointed Sofia Ericsson, former vice-president at Lazard, the investment bank, to head its alternative investments.

The Skr117bn (€13bn) fund is allocating up to 3% to alternatives that include hedge funds, private equity and real estate. Ericsson will take up the new position in mid-August. Ericsson joined Lazard in Stockholm in 2001. Before Lazard, she headed mergers and acquisitions at Framfab, the European internet consulting and solutions provider.