Morgan Stanley has lured David Barrett back into the fold as a managing director of its prime brokerage group, focusing on the firm’s largest hedge fund clients. Barrett will be head of hedge fund strategic consulting at Morgan Stanley.

Barrett spent 18 years at Morgan Stanley, including seven as a senior member of its prime brokerage, before joining Merrill Lynch four years ago.

At Merrill, he most recently worked in the structured and alternatives investment group, leading institutional distribution.

“Dave’s extensive experience working with hedge funds in a number of different capacities uniquely positions him to help our largest clients, and their investors, evolve their business in a maturing and increasingly complex market environment,” Stu Hendel, global head of prime brokerage at Morgan Stanley, said.