BNY Mellon, the global investment management firm, has announced a senior appointment for its new separately managed accounts business which is expected to launch by the end of 2013.

Alex Buerge becomes head of investments and managing director for the SMA arm, reporting to AJ Harper, president and chief executive of BNY Mellon's Asia-Pacific managed accounts business. Based in Hong Kong, he will be responsible for the design and development of the new SMA platfrom and its investment offerings, as well as setting product strategy as the firm expands in the next years.

Buerge steps in from Credit Suisse, where he most recently was global head of international locations for the multi-asset class solutions business in Switzerland. He also previously served as head of Asia-Pacific/Middle East for discretionary mandates and portfolio management. 

The SMA platform provides multi-currency options at an entry level of less than $1 million per portfolio. It received licence approval from the Securities and Futures Commission in June 2013 and will be offered to a select group of private banks and wealth management providers.