AMP Capital has announced that it has hired former West Midlands Pensions Fund chief investment officer Judy Saunders as an advisor in the UK.

Saunders will help AMP Capital with its business development efforts with UK institutional investors - particularly with UK local government pension scheme clients.

AMP Capital has recently secured investment to its infrastructure funds from various UK local government funds. In 2011, the firm won allocation to its European equity infrastructure fund from Merseyside Pension Fund, and a commitment to its AMP Capital Infrastructure Debt Fund from East Riding of Yorkshire Council Pension Fund.

Louisa Yeoman, AMP Capital's institutional director UK, said:

"Appointing Judy as a senior advisor underlines our commitment to the UK institutional market including to local government pension schemes, which are a significant focus within our institutional client strategy."

Ms Saunders said:

"Having successfully introduced and implemented a truly diversified investment strategy at West Midlands Pension Fund, I remain a firm believer in the long-term benefits of diversification and also the significant role that alternative strategies can play within an investment portfolio."