Joyce Koh, who led Fidelity Worldwide Investment’s sales efforts in Singapore from 2006, is responsible for Nikko AM Asia’s marketing and branding initiatives.
Koh is the latest in a series of appointments by Nikko, following its acquisition of DBS Asset Management in the fourth quarter of 2011. The firm has made at least seven senior hires and promotions in Singapore since October, including that of Eleanor Seet, who joined the company from iShares, as its president and executive director.
“Over the last three months, we’ve made a number of strategic appointments, from within Nikko AM and externally, which will be instrumental to the continued growth of our fund management and distribution capabilities within the region,” Seet said.
“Joyce’s deep experience and pioneering spirit will be a tremendous boost to our marketing initiatives within the region.”
Nikko’s acquisitions of Tyndall Investments in Australia in 2010 and DBS last year, have made it Asia’s largest regional investment manager, added Blair Pickerell, the company’s head of Asia, at a time when the continent is becoming a “leading generator” of wealth globally.
Nikko AM is headquartered in Tokyo and has Asia Pacific offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. The firm, which had assets under management of some $157bn last September, is majority owned by the Sumitomo Trust and Banking Company.
As International Adviser reported, Nikko AM abandoned a proposed flotation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, citing heightened market volatility.