Credit Suisse continues asset management build

Credit Suisse has hired James Ieong as director of distribution in China for asset management. This continues a quick ramp-up of asset management executives in Hong Kong.

Ieong will report to Omar Cordes, managing director and head of distribution for Asia-Pacific. Cordes himself joined the firm in September from CQS, a hedge fund based in London, while Tony Iliya, who previously ran Credit SuisseÆs fixed-income team in Asia, was named vice chairman.

The China distribution role is a newly created one and involves strategic planning, sales distribution and client servicing, for both institutional and retail clients.

Cordes says the role will initially emphasise the institutional side but will grow into retail. Ieong will work closely with the firmÆs funds joint venture with ICBC. ôThe JV is an important partner and an important client,ö Cordes says.

Ieong previously worked at JF Asset Management, where he headed the institutional business for China. He had worked for Desmond Ng, who has also recently departed JF to run regional institutional business development at Invesco. Ieong has also served as head of business and market development at State Street in Hong Kong.