First State poaches F&C's Williamson for launch of EM debt arm

First State Investments has made a move into the onshore fixed income space with the launch of a London-based emerging markets team, led by ex-F&C manager Helene Williamson.

Williamson will manage the first UK-domiciled debt strategy for the firm, which is best known for its giant emerging markets and specialist equity funds. Reporting to Gary Withers, regional managing director for EMEA, Williamson will head a team of four specialists based in London, and two based in Hong Kong. The former are new joiners to the firm and the latters members of the existing global fixed interest and credit team. First State said it sees strong investment prospects in emerging market debt in the next ten years and plans to launch two funds in this area in the coming mon...