The Sparx Group, one of the biggest alternative investment organisations in Asia, is taking decisive steps to unify its underlying brands and create a pan-Asian expertise. The group – which has now a combined $8 billion in assets under management following its acquisition of two big hedge fund shops, Hong Kong-based PMA and Korea’s COSMO – has announced the creation of a group executive board aimed at enhancing collaboration among its operating companies in three countries. It also created a new executive post of group chief operating officer (COO), who will be based in Hong Kong, to oversee the group’s regional ambitions. Masaki Taniguchi, currently the president of Sparx Asset Management, the Tokyo-based operating company, will assume the role of group COO on 1 April and will relocate to Hong Kong. The twin corporate moves come as the group’s team of managers in Hong Kong is preparing to...