Tony Edwards joins Neuberger Berman as Asia head

New York-based asset manager Neuberger Berman has hired Tony Edwards as head of Asia-Pacific (ex Japan) in Hong Kong to replace Brad Okita, who moves to a senior, client-facing role. Edwards started on Monday, reporting to chairman and chief executive George Walker in New York.

Previously at rival US firm AllianceBernstein for nearly a decade, Edwards spent the past five years as a senior portfolio manager in Hong Kong, overseeing 40 global, Asia, China and Hong Kong growth portfolios, with $15 billion in assets under management (AUM). He was also a member of AllianceBernstein's global and local portfolio-oversight groups.

Neuberger Berman is looking to further expand its team, but there are no fixed targets, says a company spokesperson.

The firm had $168 billion in AUM as of September 30, but declined to say how much of that is accounted for by Asian capital. It provides investment solutions to institutions and individuals through customised, separately managed accounts, mutual funds and alternative investment products.