Goji Yoshino was named country head for Japan at Vontobel Asset Management, leading the firm's new Tokyo office.
The position is new, a spokesman confirmed. Japan was covered from Hong Kong by Naohiko Tabei, executive director, institutional clients and consultant relations. He is now a member of Mr. Yoshiko's team, the spokesman said.
Mr. Yoshino is responsible for managing relationships with financial institutions, consultant relations and developing new distribution partnerships.
The Japan office has three staffers working under Mr. Yoshino: two dedicated to sales and one to compliance.
"Our onshore presence in Japan reaffirms Vontobel's commitment to institutional clients in the country," Ulrich Behm, CEO at Vontobel Asset Management Asia-Pacific, said in a news release. "Goji's experience and client-oriented mindset are crucial in expanding our product offerings to meet investor demand for actively managed investment solutions."
Vontobel had 193.4 billion Swiss francs ($203.9 billion) in assets under management as of June 30. Japan AUM was not available.
Mr. Yoshino was head of institutional sales at BlueBay Asset Management, the release said. "At BlueBay we take a team-based approach to our work and are well-resourced within our Japanese business to absorb his responsibilities and serve our clients to the highest standard," a statement by the firm said. BlueBay continues to grow regionally and will add a new member to the team at the start of next year.
