Macro asset manager Singer Partners is set to join the investment management arm of William Blair & Company.

The move will add an eight-strong team, led by founder Brian Singer, to William Blair Investment Management. The team specializes in active asset allocation, and currency and risk management.

Before he founded Singer Partners, Singer was the head of global investment solutions at UBS Global Asset Management. He has also previously held the positions of board member and chair of the CFA Institute Board of Governors.

“William Blair is similar to the environment and culture we developed at Singer Partners, and the partnership provides the platform and resources to advance and leverage a… global macro capability,” said Singer.

Singer Partners uses a top-down investment strategy with a focus on macro investments, and manages global macro hedge funds while sub-advising other active asset allocation and currency strategies.

William Blair Investment Management had $46 billion in assets under management as of 31 March 2011. The firm provides portfolio management for international, domestic and global equities, domestic fixed income, and funds of hedge funds. It also acts as the advisor to 19 open-end mutual funds, as well as five SICAVs for non-US citizens or residents.