Published by Hubbis – 3rd Sep 2018
Capital Group, one of the world’s largest and most experienced fund managers with more than USD1.8 trillion in assets under management, has made three senior appointments in its distribution teams across Asia, reinforcing the firm’s distribution capabilities in the region.
“Asia’s growing wealth accumulation and changing demographics mean an increased need for long term savings and retirement solutions,” says Thomas Quantrille, Capital Group’s President and Head of Asia Pacific. “Capital Group’s focus and successful active approach to investing aligns with the needs of investors in Asia. We are uniquely positioned to provide the appropriate objective oriented investment solutions. These solutions include time-tested fixed income, multi-asset, and equity strategies, such as the Morningstar gold-rated New Perspective strategy.2 In addition, our multiple manager system enables individual investment professionals to act on their highest convictions, while limiting the risk associated with isolated decision-making.”
Asia strategy and strengthened distribution team
The firm has appointed Jeik Sohn as Managing Director, Financial Intermediaries, Asia. Based in Hong Kong, Jeik oversees Capital Group’s distribution strategy and is responsible for growing the firm’s business in the region. Jeik will report to Grant Leon, Managing Director of Financial Intermediaries for Europe and Asia at Capital Group.
With over a decade of industry experience, Jeik joined Capital Group from M&G Investments, where his various achievements included setting up the company’s Asia business, building the sales team and representing the investment team as their local investment specialist.
Reporting to Jeik, Kit Toh has been appointed as Managing Director, Financial Intermediaries, Southeast Asia. She helps shape and implement the distribution strategy and strengthen existing relationships with Capital Group’s financial intermediary clients in Southeast Asia.
Based in Singapore, Kit has 14 years of industry experience. Prior to Capital Group, Kit held a client advisory role at JPMorgan Asset Management in New York and Singapore, where she worked closely with intermediary clients to provide investment insights and solutions across all asset classes. Before that, Kit was in a client servicing role at Morgan Stanley Investment Management serving private banks and institutional clients.
Capital Group’s Asia strategy employs a two-pronged approach that focuses on supporting global partnerships that the manager already has in place, as well as expanding its partnership network.
“We are focused on working with a small number of financial intermediaries, which share our investment philosophy and values, and this is central to our Asia strategy,” says Grant. “We have built successful and meaningful strategic partnerships in each of our key markets.”
“I am delighted Jeik and Kit have joined the team; they bring a deep understanding of the Financial Intermediary landscape and have strong networks and experience in identifying partners and cultivating strategic relationships across Asia.”
Delivering differentiated products to Asian clients
Capital Group has also appointed Emerald Yau as Investment Director. In her role, she works closely with the investment and distribution teams to promote Capital Group’s equity strategies to financial intermediaries and institutional clients. Based in Hong Kong, Emerald reports to Andy Budden, Head of Investment Specialists for Asia Pacific at Capital Group.
“Emerald brings with her extensive product knowledge across different asset classes and market experience, and we are very pleased to have her on board,” says Andy. “With investment solutions that are designed to address long-term investment needs, Capital Group is committed to enabling Asian clients in achieving their goals.”
Emerald has over 16 years of international investment experience. Previously, she was with BlackRock North Asia Asset Management, where she held similar roles initially covering fixed income and subsequently equities. She has also held various roles at Shinsei Bank in Tokyo and Lehman Brothers in New York.
