H20 Asset Management is set to grow its global footprint by opening its first Asia office in Singapore, and is applying for a fund management licence with the country’s monetary authority.
The London-based firm, which is an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has announced three hires for the new office. Philip Chow has been named as the chief executive and will report to chief investment officer, Vincent Chailley.
Chow joins H20 from Amundi Singapore, where he served as the chief investment officer for two years.
Other recruits include Lhoucine Aderdor as senior portfolio manager, who also joins from Amundi with 15 years of experience in finance. Alexis Lavergne also joins as client portfolio manager from BlackRock. H20 said it is planning additional hires in 2019.
“H2O’s expansion in Singapore is consistent with Natixis IM’s strategic plans to increase local management in the Asia-Pacific region and continue to expand our product range,” Fabrice Chemouny, head of Asia Pacific at Natixis IM, said in a statement.
Bruno Crastes, H2O’s chief executive, said: “Our move into Asia is a natural progression in our efforts to expand our services and capabilities to better service our clients, especially for those who are based in the Asia-Pacific region.”
H20 said it manages $29.8 billion in assets globally.
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