Global indexer MSCI has tapped Chris Ryan to fill the newly created role of managing director, head of Asia Pacific.

According to a company press release, Ryan, who will be based in Hong Kong and report to chairman and chief executive Henry Fernandez, will "work closely with all of MSCI�s business units, functional and administrative groups and local offices in coordinating a comprehensive and assertive expansion strategy for MSCI in Asia Pacific. He will also head up MSCI�s Asia Pacific Client Coverage team, focusing on delivering MSCI�s range of innovative products and services to both clients and prospects in the region."

The AsianInvestor reported that Ryan replaces Deborah Yang, formerly managing director and head of Asia ex Japan at MSCI, who is now going to Paris to run MSCI's Europe, Middle East and Africa index business, including India. She told the AsianInvestor that MSCI is setting up regional heads for index business management.

The AsianInvestor also reported that Ted Niggli, formerly head of MSCI�s London-based European and global business, moved a month ago to Shanghai to head the firm�s index business for Asia Pacific. The paper also reported that Ryan's role is expanded from Yang's, in that he also responsible for Australia and Japan, while she had not been.

Earlier this week, The Vanguard Group [profile] announced that it was pulling a half-trillion dollar mandate for indexing 22 ETFs from MSCI and instead was moving its business to FTSE and the University of Chicago's Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP).

Company Press Release

Chris Ryan Joins MSCI as Head of Asia Pacific Region

MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics and corporate governance services, announced today that Chris Ryan has joined the firm as Head of Asia Pacific.

In this newly created role, Mr Ryan will work closely with all of MSCI�s business units, functional and administrative groups and local offices in coordinating a comprehensive and assertive expansion strategy for MSCI in Asia Pacific. He will also head up MSCI�s Asia Pacific Client Coverage team, focusing on delivering MSCI�s range of innovative products and services to both clients and prospects in the region.

Mr Ryan joins MSCI as a Managing Director, reporting to Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI Inc., and is based in Hong Kong.

�Chris is a 30-year veteran of the asset management industry in Asia Pacific, having held senior positions at some of the leading investment firms in the region,� said Mr Fernandez. �His experience and knowledge of these businesses, as well as his proven ability to manage diverse teams across Asia Pacific, made him the perfect candidate for this new role. I am delighted that Chris is joining us and I am sure that he will play a pivotal role in growing our business in this important part of the world.�

Before joining MSCI, Chris was Chief Executive Officer of Perpetual Ltd, a publicly traded asset management firm in Australia. From 2010 to 2011 he was Managing Director and Senior Advisor of Citibank�s Global Transaction Services business in Asia. In 2008 he joined Fidelity International Ltd in Asia where he was Managing Director. Prior to that, he worked at ING Investment Management Asia Pacific Ltd from 2000 to 2007, where his last role was as Chief Executive Officer for the region. Chris has also had senior leadership roles at Deutsche Asset Management, HSBC Funds, John A Nolan and Associates, National Mutual Funds Management Company and Commonwealth Bank. He graduated from Monash University in Australia with a Bachelor of Business degree.

Edited by: Tommy Fernandez

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