UK Government-backed private equity funds of funds manager CDC Group has appointed a chief operating officer with extensive experience of the Asian markets, as the firm makes the region one its top priorities this year after being called on to invest more in developing economies.

CDC has appointed Shonaid Jemmett-Page from consumer goods group Unilever to the newly-created post of chief operating officer. She was senior vice-president of finance and information at Unilever, having joined its Asia unit in 2001.