Invesco PowerShares has appointed a new head of its UK exchange traded fund (ETF) business.

Caroline Baron takes on the position as part of the firm’s wider plans to expand is European team.

She joins from BlackRock’s iShares in London where she was in charge of servicing of UK wealth managers, private banks and asset managers. 

“The ETF market and in particular the demand for alternatively-weighted ETFs are growing rapidly in Europe. Caroline’s appointment strengthens our team in this key market and our ability to effectively service UK investors,” said Bryon Lake, who recently joined as Emea head of Invesco PowerShares.

The firm is keen to capitalise on the increasing demand for smart-beta ETFs as an alternative to traditional passive funds.

Baron started her career at iShares in 2006 with having responsibility for sales to French institutional clients. Before that she worked at Credit Agricole Indosuez and IFX Markets for five years.