The global asset management group has welcomed Jeremy Smith to its UK equities team.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has appointed Jeremy Smith to the newly-created role of head of UK equity research.

Based in London, Smith will lead the UK research team and further develop the group’s UK equity research capabilities. He will report to Leigh Harrison, head of equities, Europe.

Smith brings over 20 years' industry experience and joins from Liberum Capital's equities sales team. He was previously head of UK equities at Neptune Investment Management. 

“Jeremy’s appointment comes at a fantastic time. We have been experiencing great success across the product range; with our UK and European funds and assets under management at record highs this year and the UK Absolute Alpha Fund reaching £500 million ($784 million) this month,” said Harrison.

“Active management and insight are a key part of our ability to deliver successful outcomes for our clients and Jeremy’s strong track record and extensive experience will further enhance our client proposition.”

Columbia Threadneedle Investments was created earlier this year after Threadneedle Investments and Columbia Management, both owned by New York-listed Ameriprise Financial, came together under one brand.

The group has since been busy expanding its UK and European equity teams, which together managed more than £35 billion in assets as of the end of June.

The new addition follows the appointment of Mark Nichols as portfolio manager within the European equities team and the recent hires of Sonal Sagar and Phil Macartney within the UK equity team.