Fund of hedge funds manager K2 Advisors has hired James Rice as managing director and head of the firm’s international group. 

Prior to joining the $5 billion Conn.-based firm, Rice served as managing director and chief auditor of Citigroup Japan’s audit and risk review unit. Before that, Rice founded the Asia/Pacific office of the Promontory Financial Group, a consulting group that advises financial institutions on corporate governance issues. 

In his new role, Rice will be based out of K2’s Tokyo office, though his responsibilities with be global.

“With the rapid and sustained growth of almost 6% annually in the region, there is an almost urgent need for appropriate investment vehicles to manage this wealth,” Rice said.