Morgan Stanley Investment Management, which is one of the few global fund managers without a joint venture in China, has hired the head of HSBC's asset management operation in Asia Pacific to lead its efforts in the region.

Blair Pickerell, who is based in Hong Kong, will begin his new role in June and will also join the parent bank's Asia executive committee as well as Morgan Stanley Investment Management's senior management team. He will be tasked with expanding the funds division's presence in Asia.