BNP Paribas Asset Management has appointed Mike Nikou as chief executive and head of distribution for Asia Pacific, effective September 15.
He is a replacement for Steven Billiet, who has continued to serve as the firm’s Asia Pacific head after being appointed as head of the global client group in August last year.
Nikou will work from Singapore for the time being before relocating to Hong Kong and reports to Billiet as well as Paul Yang, head of BNP Paribas in Asia Pacific.
His in tray includes reinforcing BNP Paribas Asset Management’s leadership in sustainable investing in the region and spearheading the firm’s distribution activities by developing and managing the build-out of the firm’s wholesale and institutional sales strategy for the region. He will also seek to grow the firm’s presence in China.
Nikou spent more than 20 years at Fidelity International, where he successfully developed business strategies for the retail and institutional segments across multiple countries and regions. He was most recently a global partner at Antler (Singapore), a global venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies.
“Mike’s experience in leading and developing a portfolio of businesses across multiple Asia Pacific markets enables him to have an acute understanding of client expectations in the region,” said Billiet.
“With a proven track record of growing businesses in both new and established markets, I am confident he will be able to expand our strategic footprint in what continues to be a growth region for BNP Paribas Asset Management; by deepening our business development activities and delivering quality services and sustainable solutions to our clients.”
