Weekly roundup of people news, July 19
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GIC NAMES NEW SUSTAINABILITY HEAD
Singapore’s GIC appointed Emily Chew in June to lead its sustainability office, the fund confirmed to AsianInvestor.
Chew succeeds Rachel Teo, who left the sovereign wealth fund in August last year. The fund’s sustainability office was established in 2022.
“Emily and her team will spearhead GIC’s efforts to deepen our capabilities in sustainability-related research, analyse fast-evolving themes, examine their implications for investment and champion enhancements to our investment processes across the enterprise,” a spokesperson told AsianInvestor.
Chew joins GIC from Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM)’s dedicated ESG investing team Calvert Research and Management in New York, where she was executive vice president.
Prior to that, she was global head of ESG research and integration at Manulife Investment Management in Boston, and head of Asia-Pacific ESG research at MSCI in Beijing and Hong Kong.
KIC HIRES FROM KB ASSET MANAGEMENT
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) appointed Kim MinKyu as senior manager for fixed income at its Seoul headquarters, effective July.
As part of the fixed income group at KIC, Kim will report to Lee Sungwoo, group head and senior director.
Kim was most recently with Seoul-based KB Asset Management, where his latest role was portfolio manager. KB Asset Management did not respond to a request for comments at the time of publication.
He has previously held roles at SK Securities Investment, Eugene Investment and Securities, and Samsung Securities.
EX-AWARE SUPER EXECUTIVE JOINS AMP
Aware Super’s actuarial practice lead, Estelle Liu, joined banking and retirement services firm AMP as head of retirement solutions, a newly-created position to enhance its retirement services capabilities.
She will start her role on July 22.
Liu, based in Australia, was Aware Super’s actuarial practice lead for member strategy for almost four years.
Reporting to AMP’s director for retirement, Ben Hillier, Liu will lead the development of financial solutions across the business to help clients manage wealth and retirement.
Her background spans over a decade of experience in the superannuation sector.
As chair of the Actuaries Institute Australia’s Superannuation Projection and Disclosure Sub-Committee, she has worked closely with ASIC, Treasury and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) on superannuation projections, dashboard and disclosure-related matters.
Aware Super did not respond to request for comment on Liu’s replacement at the time of publication.
AIIB VP FOR POLICY AND STRATEGY TO STEP DOWN
Danny Alexander, vice president for policy and strategy at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), will step down in October at the end of his term.
An open and competitive process will be undertaken to recruit his successor, AIIB said in a statement.
Alexander joined AIIB in February 2016, a month after its official operations began.
He oversaw environmental and social policies while driving AIIB’s strategic direction, sectoral and country priorities, investment strategy and operating budget.
He was initially AIIB’s vice president and corporate secretary, and subsequently led policy and strategy.
Alexander will return to the UK to take on an executive leadership position with HSBC.
ARES NAMES JAPAN CHAIR, PLANS NEW OFFICE
Ares Management Corporation hired Masahiko Oshima as partner and chairman of Japan for Ares Asia from Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.
Oshima’s appointment underscores Ares’ commitment to establishing its presence in Japan, including plans to open a new permanent office in Tokyo later this year.
Ares sees significant opportunities to invest across private markets in Japan, with a particular focus on private equity and real assets.
Based in Tokyo, Oshima reports to Edwin Wong, partner and head of Ares Asia.
Oshima previously held various senior positions at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG).
Oshima is also a member of the board of directors of Toyota Motor Corporation.
APOLLO HIRES FOR JAPAN PRIVATE CREDIT
Apollo Global Management hired Kazuo Yamataka as principal in its Tokyo office to focus on Apollo’s private credit strategy in Japan, effective July.
Yamataka joined from Korea-based private equity firm MBK Partners where he worked in their Tokyo office as vice president of special situations until June. MBK did not respond to enquiries at the time of publication.
Prior to this, Yamataka held roles at Morgan Stanley.
Apollo did not respond to a request for further details at the time of publication.
JLL APPOINTS NEW CHINA CEO
Global real estate services firm JLL named Anny Zhang as CEO of China, effective September 1.
Based in Shanghai, Zhang will report to Anthony Couse, CEO of Asia Pacific at JLL.
She replaces Bessie Lee who was CEO for Greater China and "is amicably leaving to pursue other opportunities", a spokesperson told AsianInvestor.
Zhang joined JLL as a manager in 2007 and became managing director of East China in 2021. In 2023, she was promoted to lead JLL's China leasing business.
Alongside this leadership change, Alex Barnes, currently managing director of Hong Kong and Macao, will take on additional responsibility for JLL Taiwan following Lee's deaparture.
He is based in Hong Kong and will also report to Couse.
Barnes has been managing director of Hong Kong and Macao since 2022. He joined JLL in Hong Kong in 2005.
INVARTIS HIRES FOR NEW AUSTRALIA OFFICE
Investment management consulting firm Invartis Consulting (Invartis) appointed Nigel Jansz as country head for Invartis Australia and New Zealand, based in Melbourne.
Jansz joined Invartis in June and the Melbourne unit was incorporated and opened in early June, a spokesperson told AsianInvestor.
In this newly created role, Jansz will lead the Singapore-headquartered firm’s expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets to target superannuation funds and wealth management firms in their transformation programmes.
He will report to Gordon Brown, chief executive and managing partner at Invartis.
Jansz was most recently sector lead partner for EY’s Asia Pacific wealth asset management technology, data, and AI practice, based in Singapore. He left EY in May, a spokesperson told AsianInvestor.
The Melbourne office will be Invartis’ sixth office alongside Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Toronto.