Willis Towers Watson names investment head for Asia-Pacific region

Taro Ogai, managing director and leader of Willis Towers Watson's portfolio solutions business in Japan, was named the firm's head of investments for Asia-Pacific, effective July 1.

Mr. Ogai will replace Naomi Denning, a 23-year veteran of the firm who will leave Hong Kong “to relocate to Canada in a long-planned move with her family,” according to a Willis Towers Watson news release Tuesday.

Mr. Ogai will remain in Tokyo, and continue to work with colleagues there to grow the solutions business after taking on the broader Asia-Pacific investments role, said a spokesman for the firm.

In other changes, Jayne Bok, the firm's Hong Kong-based head of sovereign advisory for Asia, will become head of investments for Asia, reporting to Mr. Ogai, effective July 1. She will focus on the Asia ex-Japan market. The position is new, said a spokesman for the firm. Ms. Bok will retain her current sovereign advisory responsibilities after taking on her new role, he said.

Ms. Denning, Mr. Ogai and Ms. Bok couldn't be reached immediately for further comment.

Chris Ford, Willis Tower Watson's global head of investment, said in the release that the appointments of Mr. Ogai and Ms. Bok will help meet the needs of the firm's clients at a time when the challenges of investing in a low-yield environment has left them “asking us to take on more of the decision-making and execution on their behalf.”