"The increase in wealth management in the Asia-Pacific region has led to greater demand for alternative investments and the CAIS platform," said CAIS managing principal and head of Asia-Pacific Jeremy Norton.

Norton, a Sydney native and co-founder of CAIS, will lead the new office. CAIS currently serves a number of Australian clients, including Evans & Partners and BBY Limited. The new CAIS office is located at Governor Phillip Tower in Sydney. 

"Our Sydney office will give us on-the-ground presence and clearly demonstrates our growing commitment to our clients and the overall region. We intend to expand the team throughout 2012 and be responsive to the unique opportunities within the region,” Norton added.

Through a secure web-portal, CAIS provides access to third-party alternative investment products and has partnerships with State Street and with Mercer.