New Asia head to lead Morgan Stanley IM

In a newly created role, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) has hired Tony Archer to head up the group's Asia Pacific business. Based in Hong Kong, Archer reports to Michael Green, head of MSIM's international business.

Archer will be responsible for all MSIM's existing sales, distribution and operations activities in the region. His role includes overseeing and coordinating existing sales teams in Hong Kong and Singapore, led by TS Lee, and Australia, led by Jon Buckeridge. He will also be responsible for spearheading MSIM's expansion into new markets within the region. It is understood that China and India will be key focus areas.

Most recently Archer was director for Australia and New Zealand at AXA Rosenberg. He spent about a decade with AXA and was responsible for setting up the group's Asia Pacific operations and held the position of regional CEO during his time at AXA.

For Morgan Stanley, the new position represents a strategic move by the firm to build up its asset management presence in the region to take advantage of growth opportunities that Asia's rapidly expanding markets present.

Commenting on the new role, Alasdair Morrison, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley Asia says, "While Morgan Stanley is already a market leader in the investment banking and institutional securities business in the Asia Pacific region, there is a great opportunity for our asset management business to achieve a similar position, and in Tony we have the right person to lead that effort."

Archer adds, "The increasing demand from client's in the region for innovative investment solutions, combined with Morgan Stanley's outstanding global investment management capabilities creates a significant opportunity for us to drive our business going forward."