Nikko Asset Management has appointed Blair Pickerell as head of Asia and global chief marketing officer.

As global chief marketing officer he will lead implementation of the group’s branding strategy worldwide.

Pickerell will be based in Hong Kong, where the group has established a representative office and intends to soon acquire a full fund management license.

“I am very pleased personally and professionally to be partnering with Blair,” says Timothy McCarthy, Nikko AM’s chairman and chief executive. “Blair and I have known each other for 16 years since our days at Jardine Fleming. He has unparalleled expertise in our industry in Asia, including his pioneering of mutual fund distribution in Taiwan and throughout the region.”
 
Pickerell’s main task will be to develop Nikko AM’s 20-plus years of experience in Asia outside of Japan.

“I’m very pleased to be joining Nikko AM,” Pickerell says. “The favourable demographics, continued deregulation, and ongoing economic success of Asia suggest that this region will be one of the leading generators of wealth in the coming decades.”

The Hong Kong office is a representative office of Nikko AM's Singapore subsidiary.

Pickerell brings to Nikko AM over 25 years of business experience in Asia. Pickerell was most recently with Morgan Stanley Investment Management, where he served as chief executive, Asia. Prior to this he served as chief executive, Asia Pacific for HSBC Asset Management and as chairman of Jardine Fleming Unit Trusts.