Watson Wyatt has added some investment consulting firepower to its regional team, bringing it up to full steam for the coming year, says Naomi Denning, director and regional head for investment consulting in Hong Kong.

It has hired Anthony Chan as senior consultant. Wong has just relocated from Singapore,where he had worked at iPac, the investment financial advisory. He also worked at an internet company start-up, and as an actuary in London, working on behalf of British pension funds from a liability-driven perspective.

His main responsibility will be helping clients in Asia with asset allocation and asset/liability modelling. ôBut IÆll also serve as a general investment consultant,ö he says.

ôIn talks with clients and prospects in Asia, IÆve already noticed a lot of interest in alpha,ö Chan says. ôInstitutions are operating more in terms of alpha and beta. Many of them are looking for absolute returns. WeÆre doing a lot of research into Libor-plus products.ö

Denning says that the firm will continue to hire senior people, but it is now running with a full team, following last yearÆs move by Peter Ryan-Kane to the funds industry (he now works at Credit SuisseÆs asset management division).

She has also hired Michelle Tsui for a regional role in development and training for the investment consulting practice. Tsui was previously with Watson WyattÆs business in New Zealand, which was sold to Mercer Investment Consulting last year. Tsui now returns to the fold, but will continue to operate out of Auckland.

Denning says she intends to make a senior hire to be based in China and is considering another for Korea next year.