First State Investments has made senior management changes in its distribution team as the firm plans to open an office in Dubai.
The move is as part of the group’s strategy to grow business in Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA).
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The company has appointed Chris Gower to the newly created role of head of EMEA consultant relationships.
Gower joins First State from HSBC Global Asset Management, where he served as head of European consultant relations.
Gower will be responsible for expanding First State’s franchise and bringing coordination and structure to the firm’s dealings with consultants across the region. He will report to Kanesh Lakhani, head of distribution for EMEA and global consultant relationships.
Andrew Ward who has been with First State for over a year has been named to the newly created position of distribution manager, reporting to Lakhani.
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By GlobalDataWard will be responsible for coordinating First State’s client engagement across the wholesale and institutional markets.
Additionally, First State plans to open an office in Dubai in 2014, with Ali Karmali relocating from London to Dubai as head of Middle East and Africa.
Commenting on the expansion, Lakhani said: "With this expansion and also our growth plans, we felt that it was the right time to expand the team to ensure that we are appropriately servicing our existing clients while actively pursuing new opportunities."
