Smith joins Premier from Utilico where he worked for 13 years as part of a team managing over £800m AUM in Utilico Investments and Utilico Emerging Markets.
Before Utilico he worked for Fleming Asset Management and Coopers & Lybrand.
His main responsibilities will be the Premier Energy and Water Trust and the Premier Global Power and Water Fund, both of which invest in companies operating in the utilities and infrastructure sectors.
They also invest in companies looking to address the issues of declining energy and water resources and which enhance and improve the use of such resources.
Smith joins senior investment managers Jake Robbins, Claire Burgess and Fen Sung.
Mike Jennings, chief investment officer at Premier, said: "As part of the Premier Global Equities Team, his [James’] extensive experience in the infrastructure and utilities sectors and particular skills in emerging markets will be invaluable across several Premier Global funds."
