The Swiss bank is bringing in senior executives to fill the roles left by two key defections, including an Asia head for its $186 billion asset management arm.
Pictet is hiring Junjie Watkins as chief executive officer for its asset management business in Asia outside of Japan, the Swiss-based bank said in a statement. The appointment of Watkins, most recently head of investment solutions for Asia at TCW, is effective immediately.
She replaces Amy Cho, who joined British asset manager Schroders as its Hong Kong chief and Asia head of intermediary business in December. Following Watkins from TCW is Heather Bao, who will assume the role of senior sales manager for Pictet's asset management in the same region covering institutional sales, a Pictet spokesperson based in Hong Kong said.
Institutions Eyed
Bao takes over Carmen Lai, who left the firm recently after 10 years. She will join on July 15. Watkins will be based in Hong Kong, where she will oversee business development and client-related matters in the region and have management oversight of all other activities, Pictet said in the announcement.
Pictet currently employs some 52 bankers in the region, who serve its main Asian markets of Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. As of March, Pictet managed $186 billion in assets globally.
