Watkins replaces Amy Cho, who joined Schroders in November as its Hong Kong CEO.
Watkins’ appointment takes effect today. Based in Hong Kong, she will assume responsibility for all business development and client-related matters in the region, according to the statement.
Without giving any details, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman said that Watkins will initially focus on growing Pictet AM’s Asia ex-Japan business, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Watkins was most recently TCW Asia’s head of investment solutions for Asia. TCW is a Los Angeles-based manager with $200bn in assets under management catering to a client base of pension funds, endowments and foundations in the US, as well as high net worth individuals.
Before TCW, Watkins was at Neuberger Berman, where she was head of investment solutions for Greater China, according to the statement.
She also had a stint at Lehman Brothers, working in fixed income and derivatives in 2006, and in 2008, before the firm collapsed and sparked the global financial crisis, in a hedge fund research role.
Pictet AM managed around $186bn in assets as of the end of March. The firm is also known for its thematic products, such as the Robotics Fund, the Security Fund and the Smart Cities Fund, which are also offered in the firm’s wealth management arm.
Earlier this year, five thematic portfolio managers left the firm to establish Thematics Asset Management, a Paris-based affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers.
