Henderson Global Investors has poached Aberdeen Asset Management’s Andrew Gillan to head its Asia ex-Japan equities team.

The move comes is part of the firm’s strategy to expand into global markets, particularly in Asia.

In his new role, Gillan will be based in Singapore and will be responsible to manage the £200 million Henderson Asia Pacific Capital Growth fund and the US$33 million (£20.5 million) Henderson Horizon Asian Growth fund.

Following the move, John Crawford and Marc Franklin, who are the current managers for the two funds, will remain at the firm. Franklin will work on both funds alongside Gillan while Crawford will work on absolute return mandates at the asset management firm.

Gillan most recently served as a senior investment manager in Singapore based Aberdeen’s Asia Pacific ex-Japan equity team headed by Hugh Young, where he managed the £626.9m Edinburgh Dragon, the UK’s largest Asian (ex-Japan) investment trust.

Aberdeen said that the trust will now be managed by Adrian Lim, who had been a co-manager with Gillan on the fund.

Graham Kitchen, head of equities, Henderson, said: "We have long-expressed our intention to build out our business internationally, particularly in Asia and the US. Andrew has built up an enviable track record. Having spent over 10 years in Singapore, he is the ideal person to lead our build out there.

"In addition, and in keeping with our desire to increase our ‘on the ground’ investment talent, we will also be moving a number of our Asian equity analysts to Singapore in the New Year," he added.