The latest moves in senior wealth management roles across Asia-Pacific.

Allianz
Allianz has appointed Anusha Thavarajah as regional chief executive of Allianz Asia Pacific, succeeding Solmaz Altin, who has decided to leave after 13 years with the organisation.
 
In her new role, Thavarajah will be responsible for delivering Allianz Asia Pacific’s long-term growth strategy as well as driving forward the business’s ongoing transformation efforts. The appointment takes effect from 1 December.
 
Thavarajah, who is Allianz Asia Pacific’s regional CEO of Life and Health, joined the business in December 2019 from AIA Malaysia. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, she has served in various senior leadership roles in the UK, Hong Kong and Malaysia, as well as being president of the Malaysia Life Insurance Association. 
 
“Having joined our Asia senior leadership team since 2019, Anusha is also no stranger to our management philosophy and will bring valuable experience and insights, built over a long and illustrious career in insurance,” Sergio Balbinot, member of the board of management of Allianz SE, said.

Manulife
Manulife Investment Management has appointed Isaac Meng as managing director and portfolio manager, fixed income, and Judy Kwok, head of Greater China fixed income research, to join its Asia fixed income team. 

Based in Hong Kong, Meng is responsible for managing Manulife Investment Management’s China bond strategies. He also works with the Asian fixed income team across the region, supplying them with his insights into the China market. Meng reports to Paula Chan, senior managing director and senior portfolio manager, Asia fixed income.

An industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, Meng was previously at PIMCO Asia as senior vice president, portfolio manager and macro strategist. He led the firm’s China fixed income strategy and macro analysis function as well as interacting with China’s regulators and monetary policymakers. Prior to that Meng worked at BNP Paribas Securities Asia as a senior economist, and before that he served in various capacities in fixed income-related roles at Bank of Montreal and Bank of China.

Also based in Hong Kong, Kwok is responsible for leading the firm’s Greater China fixed income research efforts, managing the credit teams in Greater China, and overseeing fixed income research activities in Greater China and North Asia. She also leads the firm’s efforts to drive collaboration and integration with Manulife-TEDA. Kwok reports to Fiona Cheung, head of global emerging markets fixed income research.

Kwok has more than 20 years of credit sector experience. She was previously at Bank of Singapore as director of fixed income research, and before that she served in senior research positions at Fidelity International and First State Investments in Hong Kong. She began her career as an analyst with the Australia Prudential Regulatory Authority and Standard & Poor’s in Australia and Hong Kong.

As of 30 June 2021, the firm manages $5.7 billion in dedicated China bond assets.