Io Investors, the multi-management firm owned by Gensec, the South African financial services group, has appointed Mike Hook as market development manager for the north of England and Scotland, as part of a push into the UK intermediary market.

Hook, who joins the firm from Premier Asset Management, will be responsible for developing io Investors' brand, and for the distribution of products through independent financial advisors (IFAs) and other intermediaries. This is the firm's first foray into the UK intermediary market.