CFA Institute names new president, CEO

Paul H. Smith was named president and CEO of the CFA Institute, effective Tuesday, said J.D. McCartney, director, external communications at CFA Institute.

Mr. Smith succeeds Dwight D. Churchill, who was named interim president and CEO last June after the departure of John Rogers, a CFA Institute news release said.

Mr. Smith, who is a chartered financial analyst, was appointed to the full-time position after a global search, assisted by Russell Reynolds Associates.

Mr. Smith is based in the CFA Institute Hong Kong office and “will split his time between CFA Institute offices throughout the world, including Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas,” Mr. McCartney said in an e-mail.

Mr. Smith was managing director, Asia-Pacific, and global head, institutional partnerships at CFA Institute. Mr. McCartney was unable to say how Mr. Smith will be replaced in those two positions.

Before joining the CFA Institute in 2012, Mr. Smith operated his own firm, Asia Alternative Asset Partners, whose focus includes investment consulting. Prior to that position, he was global head of securities services and global head of alternative funds administration at HSBC, and Asia head of securities services, Bank of Bermuda, until its acquisition by HSBC.

“Paul has demonstrated the bold vision and strong leadership we need to advance the profession and shape a more trustworthy financial industry,” Aaron Low, chairman of the CFA Institute board of governors, said in the news release.

Mr. Smith couldn’t be reached for comment.