The fund manager gives international CEO Anthony Fasso responsibility for its dominant Australian client base. It comes as the firm officially opens its Hong Kong office.
The Australian asset manager signals its regional aspirations by appointing Fidelity’s former Hong Kong chief Kerry Ching. She started at the firm today.
The move to allow Employee Choice Arrangement in Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund scheme is expected to drive down fees and cause smaller trustees to exit.
Last year saw more bond than equity funds sold to HK retail investors for the first time this century. They accounted for 44.4% of industry sales in 2011, compared with 43.5% for equity.
Ching takes over from Desmond Ng of Invesco. Terry Pan of JP Morgan AM is reappointed vice-chair, while Sam Yu of GAM Hong Kong takes a seat on the executive committee.
Ching is expected to join Fidelity International within the next two weeks. Hale has resigned and is set to leave at the end of December after spending 13 years with the fund house.