Weekly roundup of people news, May 17
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AWARE SUPER HIRES STRATEGY AND TRANSFORMATION GM
Aware Super, the A$175 billion Australian superannuation fund, announced Winnie Huen as the new general manager of strategy and transformation.
Huen joins on July 1, and will report to chief operating officer Sally Collins.
Huen will focus on developing data-driven and technology-enhanced solutions, including the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
Huen is currently a partner at Deloitte in the data, analytics, and solutions practice.
She previously held positions at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Rabobank, and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
FORMER ABRDN HK FIXED INCOME HEAD JOINS BOSERA AM
Mark Baker, abrdn's former Hong Kong head of fixed income, joined Bosera Asset Management (International) as senior fixed income portfolio manager, Baker announced in a LinkedIn post.
He was previously with abrdn for 11 years in Hong Kong, starting as investment director for emerging market fixed income.
He left the firm at the end of 2023. AsianInvestor reported his departure.
He also worked at Threadneedle Investments for six years in London.
Bosera Asset Management (International) did not respond to AsianInvestor’s queries for further details on the hire.
HSBC AM ANNOUNCES THREE ASIA APPOINTMENTS
Masayuki Kaneko, CEO of HSBC Asset Management (Japan) has taken on additional responsibilities as head of institutional sales in North Asia for HSBC Asset Management effective May 10.
Kaneko will lead institutional sales across Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.
He succeeds Brenda Wong, who will leave the firm.
Kaneka joined HSBC Japan in 2013 and was deputy head of global banking Japan before being appointed as CEO of the Japan asset management unit in March 2020.
Masayuki is based in Japan. He continues to report locally to Edward Weeks, president and CEO, HSBC Japan, and functionally to Daisy Ho, CEO Asia Pacific, HSBC AM.
In addition, Jasmine Hung, head of pensions strategic partnerships in Hong Kong at HSBC Global Asset Management (Hong Kong) will take on additional responsibilities and was named acting CEO of the Hong Kong asset management unit, effective May 10.
A search for a permanent CEO is underway.
The role is newly created and will enable Ho to focus on her Asia-Pacific CEO role.
Hung will continue to report to Ho on a functional basis, and to Maggie Ng, general manager and head of wealth and personal banking Hong Kong at HSBC, on an entity basis.
Finally, Hsin Chiao, general manager and CEO of HSBC Global Asset Management (Taiwan), has left the firm, effective May 9.
Chris Lin, executive vice president and head of client coverage, takes over in the interim, effective May 10. A search for a permanent successor is underway.
Lin joined the Taiwan unit in 2021 to oversee the institutional and wholesale businesses as well as client service teams.
ASSET MANAGEMENT ONE SHUTS SINGAPORE OFFICE
Japanese firm Asset Management One decided to shut its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary, the firm said in a release.
"We will liquidate AM-One SG after preparations are completed. AM-One reiterates that there will be no change to the importance of the Asian region in its business strategies or to its policies,” it said, adding that it remains committed to expanding its global operations.
AMO did not respond to queries from AsianInvestor about the number of employees in the Singapore office.
AMO is jointly owned by Mizuho Financial Group and Dai-ichi Life Holdings.
BLACKROCK NAMES MD FOR CLIMATE INFRA TEAM IN NZ
BlackRock appointed Will Thomson as managing director and portfolio manager in the climate infrastructure team in New Zealand, effective July 2024.
This follows BlackRock’s announcement to launch a New Zealand-focused strategy, via its climate infrastructure franchise, last year as well as opening an office in Auckland this year.
Thomson, based in Auckland, will be responsible for sourcing climate infrastructure investment opportunities and managing the diligence, structuring, and closing of transactions in New Zealand.
He joins from Jarden, where he was responsible for the origination, structuring, execution, and management of direct private capital investments in New Zealand. He also served as a board director and Jarden’s representative for its investee companies.
He has previously worked at Global Infrastructure Partners in Sydney and London and worked in the investment banking divisions of Credit Suisse and Jarden.
Jarden did not respond to AsianInvestor queries on who replaces Thomson.
FARRO CAPITAL EXPANDS DUBAI, SINGAPORE TEAMS
Singapore-based multifamily office Farro Capital appointed Rebekah Woo as managing director and head of private markets and funds, and Robin Titus as director of Farro Capital Dubai.
Woo will continue to be based in Singapore and report to co-founder and chief executive officer Hemant Tucker.
She joined from single family office Pioneer Generation and Serene Group of Companies where she was CEO and chief investment officer for three years.
Previously, she held key positions at Fosun, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), JP Morgan Asset Management, and EDB.
Titus, the new director for Farro Capital Dubai, will report to senior executive officer Rajiv Garg.
His experience in the family office realm focuses on investor relations.
Before joining Farro Capital Dubai, he was the founding partner and board member of business alliance platform Optima Orbits.
He also worked at Triangle Asset Management, Capital Assured, and Naru Capital.
INDIAFIRST LIFE INSURANCE NAMES NEW CEO
IndiaFirst Life Insurance named Rushabh Gandhi as the new CEO and managing director, effective July 1, subject to regulatory approval.
Once approved, his term will be effective for five years.
He succeeds RM Vishakha, who will step down on June 30. He is currently deputy CEO.
He has worked alongside Vishakha since 2018, and is considered instrumental in the life insurer’s growth and profitability. He was previously deputy CEO.
AsianInvestor was unable to ascertain if another deputy CEO will be announced in due course.
KNIGHT FRANK APPOINTS APAC ESG DIRECTOR
Knight Frank appointed Jackie Cheung as the new director of environmental, docial, and governance (ESG) for the Asia-Pacific and Singapore.
Cheung will be based in Singapore.
He will report to Tim Armstrong, global head of occupier strategy and solutions, and Low Kin Hon, deputy CEO and head of valuation and advisory, Knight Frank Singapore.
Cheung joined Knight Frank two years ago in Hong Kong, where he was instrumental in advancing the firm's ESG initiatives in Greater China.