Baring Asset Management, the UK fund management firm owned by ING, has filled the gap created by the departure of fund managers Maria Polycarpou and Silvia Wendlinger to Fortis Investments with three new hires to its small and mid-cap team.

Nicholas Williams joins from Singer & Friedlander, the UK listed fund management firm, as a senior investment manager, responsible for the Baring Europe Select fund. James Thorne joins from 3i, the private equity firm, as investment manager focusing on UK smaller companies.