In the newly-created consultancy role, MacKinnon will provide advice to Old Mutual Global Investors on the operating model needed in the region as well as identifying and supporting the recruitment of future key appointments, the firm said.
He will also give strategic advice to Old Mutual International, part of Old Mutual Wealth.
MacKinnon has experience establishing businesses in areas such as ports, water treatment, construction management and manufacturing, the firm said. He is currently chairman of Sinophi Healthcare, which invests in and manages hospitals in China, non-executive director of London Bridge Capital and non-executive chairman of Modern Water and Xeros.
“[MacKinnon] brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Asia-Pacific business market including acting as an adviser for many business `firsts’,” said Julian Ide, CEO of OMGI. “His dedication and involvement in promoting British business in Asia is exceptional.”
He will report to Ide and work closely with Carol Wong, managing director and head of distribution for Asia.
“There is a very big opportunity in the market for high-performing British asset management houses that have on-the-ground investment and distribution capabilities,” MacKinnon said.
“By establishing the optimal organisational model and expansion programme, I believe both parties can succeed and become leading players in their respective markets.”
OMGI is expanding its presence in Asia. The firm has made several hires for its Asian equities team in recent months, including Joshua Crabb, who was brought over from BlackRock to head the Asian equities team.
The team includes China equities portfolio manager Diamond Lee, who joined in November 2014.
OMGI also said it has completed the build-out of the Hong Kong-based Asian distribution team, led by Wong, and has built a relationship with Capital Gateway, a master agent in Taiwan.
