Ganesh Suntharam assumes management of Perpetual's quantitative investments business.

In March this year, Suntharam joined Vasant Khilnani as the joint head of the quant business.

Suntharam has eight years industry experience and four years at Perpetual Investments, the past three of which have been spent managing Perpetual's quant funds.

Over the past eight months, Suntharam and Khilnani have been focused on building resources in the quant team, and transitioning management of the business to Suntharam.

Cathy Doyle, group executive Perpetual Investments business services and chief operating officer of Australian equities, said Khilnani would leave Perpetual in 2010 to pursue a series of personal goals outside the industry.

In heading up the quant business, Suntharam will be supported by a seven member quant team, including an additional dedicated quant analyst hired earlier this year.

He will continue to build the team with the hiring of a new portfolio manager.