Posted inPeople Moves

Fidelity, Natixis IM, HSBC AM, Franklin Templeton make senior hires

Fidelity names Asia Pacific (Apac) equities head; Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM) appoints head of China; HSBC Asset Management (HSBC AM) creates Apac wholesale role; Franklin Templeton makes two senior appointments in Apac.
Business network concept. Human Resources. Group of businesspeople.

Fidelity names Apac equities head

The firm’s current head of Asian fixed income, Marty Dropkin, will become head of equities for the firm in Apac, according to a statement.

He will continue to be based in Hong Kong, while spending time in Singapore and across the region.

Dropkin will report to Andrew McCaffery, global chief investment officer at Fidelity International.

“As we look to further cement Fidelity’s reputation as a leading provider of equity investment capabilities in Asia and globally, Marty’s depth of investment knowledge, breadth of experience and strong track-record will be invaluable,” said McCaffery.

He will lead the regional equities team to ensure that sustainability principles continue to be integrated into the equity investment process.

Dropkin has spent the past 12 years at Fidelity, with the experience of managing the equities and fixed income teams across portfolio management, fundamental and quantitative research and trading functions in Asia, the UK and the US.

Natixis IM nets China head from Fosun International

Natixis IM has appointed Helen Yang as chief representative and head of China, according to an announcement from the firm.

Located in Beijing, Yang will report to Hong Kong-based Fabrice Chemouny, head of Asia Pacific.

“Helen is a perfect fit for Natixis IM, bringing over six years of experience at one of the world’s leading insurance companies, a key focus for us, combined with her deep China market expertise,” said Chemouny.

In her role, Yang will be responsible for leading Natixis IM’s business in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. 

Yang boasts over 15 years of investment experience both in China and the US, including at Fosun International, China Ping An Insurance Overseas, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

HSBC AM adds Asia wholesale head

Charles Li will become the firm’s new head of wholesale business, Asia, as of 1 September, subject to regulatory approval.

Li will be responsible for covering all wholesale clients in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Japan and Southeast Asia in this newly-created role.

He will be based in Hong Kong, reporting to Thorsten Michalik, global head of wholesale, as well as locally to Daisy Ho, chief executive officer, Asia Pacific and Hong Kong.

Li will replace Alison Brown, who will be taking on a new role within HSBC AM, to be announced later this year.

Prior to joining HSBC AM, Li was head of global wealth management client coverage, Apac and deputy head asset management in Hong Kong, at UBS Asset Management.

He has also held senior roles at Fortis Investment Management Asia, PCI Investment Management and Allianz Global Investors.

Franklin Templeton reveals leadership changes in Apac

The asset manager said in an announcement that Christian Bucaro has joined the company in a new role as head of retail for Asia.

Bucaro is based in Singapore and will be responsible for driving the growth of the firm’s retail business in Asia (ex-Japan and India).

Clement Lee, head of retail sales, Southeast Asia, and Simon Wong, head of retail sales, Greater China, will both report into Bucaro, according to the announcement.

Bucaro brings to his new firm over 19 years of experience in retail and institutional business development in Europe and Asia.

He was most recently the Singapore chief executive officer and  head of strategic distributors relationships, Apac, at BNP Paribas Asset Management.

Meanwhile, Felicity Walsh, currently head of sales at Franklin Templeton Australia and New Zealand, will be promoted to managing director and head of Australia and New Zealand

She will start her new role effective 1 August.

Walsh will provide executive oversight of sales, marketing, client services and product strategy, and will continue to have direct client responsibilities in the Australia and New Zealand markets, acting as key conduit to local and global investment teams.

Walsh joined the company in 2015, initially as managing director at K2 Advisors, a hedge fund specialist investment management team within Franklin Templeton.

She has also worked for 11 years at Towers Watsons in the UK and Australia.

Both Bucaro and Walsh will be part of the Apac leadership team, supporting Tariq Ahmad and Matt Harrison, co-heads of Apac.

Part of the Mark Allen Group.