Apostle Asset Management has entered into an agreement with United Kingdom-based H2O Asset Management for the distribution of its investment products in Australia.

Under the arrangement, Apostle will be responsible for the marketing of H2O's funds and capabilities to local institutional investors.

"The team at H2O has a long track record in fixed income, global macro and newer volatility strategies, which we believe will have good relevance in a more volatile post-GFC (global financial crisis) market environment," Apostle managing director Karyn West said.

H2O was launched in July 2010 by former Amundi Asset Management London chief investment officer Bruno Crastes, the current H2O chief executive, and former Amundi global head of fixed income and currency investment Vincent Chailley, who is now H2O chief investment officer.

H2O already has a global distribution agreement with French fund manager Natixis Asset Management.
 
Natixis has provided H2O with capital to staff the new firm and also provided international marketing and legal/compliance infrastructure.

The French firm has also seeded several of the investment strategies in order for H2O to continue the track record that the principals have built up with their previous employers.

"Our team has long seen the opportunities Australia offers to global investments firms. We also understand, however, that success in this market requires local expertise," Crastes said.

"That is why we have partnered with Apostle to ensure Australian clients can access local expertise in local time."