Stewart Bennett has been appointed to the newly created role of global head of alternatives for BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM), the firm announced on Monday.

Bennett will oversee BMO GAM’s new global alternatives offering, which incorporates its existing private equity, real estate and real estate securities businesses. He will be based in London and report to Kristi Mitchem, CEO of BMO Global Asset Management.

Bennett brings 25 years of experience to the role, including 10 years as partner and head of the Financial Institutions Group at London-based Ondra Partners. He has also held positions at Dresdner Kleinwort and private equity firm Botts & Company, both also based in London.

He will take up his new post on May 7.