The latest appointments, personnel changes and moves in the wealth management sector, and related fields, across Asia-Pacific.

Simmons & Simmons
The financial markets practice of international law firm Simmons & Simmons has appointed Ester Chow as a partner in its Hong Kong office, with immediate effect.

Chow’s practice deals with complex lending structures, particularly in the fast-growing areas of private credit and fund finance. With more than 13 years’ experience, she has extensive knowledge of cross-border financings, net asset value facilities, limited partner financing and acquisition finance.

According to the firm, demand for sophisticated financing solutions is rising in Asia. Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre, combined with its prominence in private credit and fund finance markets, makes the city a “critical jurisdiction” for clients.

Simmons & Simmons has more than 340 partners and 2,200 staff across 22 offices in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, supporting clients in global financial markets.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a global asset management group, has expanded its presence in Japan with the appointment of Soichi Kimura as head of distribution retail sales, Japan.

Based in Tokyo, Kimura joined the firm on 20 August 2025 and reports to Yoshihisa Kojima, head of Japan. The appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Japanese market and delivering investment solutions to a broader range of clients.

Kimura is joining with more than 20 years of experience in retail asset management, having worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and PIMCO, the firm said in a statement. Most recently he was relationship manager at Franklin Templeton Japan. In his new position, Kimura will lead the firm’s retail distribution strategy in Japan, working with partners and financial intermediaries to enhance access to Columbia Threadneedle’s global investment capabilities.

The move follows the recent appointment of Eiichiro Nakamura as head of distribution institutional sales for Japan, reflecting the firm’s long-term vision for Japan. Since joining, Nakamura has helped deepen institutional relationships and strengthen partnerships across Japan.

In addition to these senior appointments, Columbia Threadneedle has made several hires in its support team, expanding representation in marketing and client management in Japan, and helping to deepen relationships.

“His expertise and insights will be invaluable as we look to build new relationships with clients and develop opportunities with existing ones,” Kojima said. “Japan is a critical growth market, and the appointments of Soichi and Eiichiro mark a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a strong team that can meet the unique needs of all our clients.”

Boston-headquartered Columbia Threadneedle Investments, which has $690 billion in assets under management, has built a significant footprint in Japan over the last decade. It formally established its office in Tokyo in 2021.