HONG KONG--()--Bo Kratz has joined Northern Trust as managing director for asset management in the Asia-Pacific region. In this role, Kratz will lead a team managing approximately US$50 billion1 in assets for clients including sovereign wealth funds, government entities, pensions and corporations in the region.
Kratz has more than 20 years of experience in asset management, the past 11 years in leadership roles for Permal and ABN Amro Asset Management (Asia) Ltd., based in Hong Kong and Singapore.
"Bo Kratz is a seasoned financial professional who understands the particular investment needs of Asia-Pacific clients," said Wayne Bowers, chief executive officer, Northern Trust asset management, for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. "With his background in multi-manager investments and experience in developing customized solutions for sovereign and government entities in the region, Bo is a perfect fit for Northern Trust’s current and prospective investment relationships in Asia. His expertise and leadership skills will be crucial as we continue to build our global model for asset management.”
Based in the Hong Kong office, Kratz is responsible for Northern Trust asset management activities across Asia-Pacific, excluding Japan. Northern Trust’s asset management team in the region includes global equity index portfolio management and global equity dealing from Hong Kong, as well as investment strategy, relationship management and sales teams based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore. Kratz reports functionally to Wayne Bowers and locally to Teresa Parker, chief executive officer for the Asia-Pacific region, at Northern Trust.
"We are pleased to welcome Bo to lead the next phase of growth for our asset management business in the Asia-Pacific region," Parker said. “As large, sophisticated investors increasingly seek customized market exposures, enhanced income or other objectives, Bo is a respected advisor who can deliver Northern Trust’s investment solutions in a risk-management framework.”
Kratz most recently managed Permal's Asia business, with responsibility for the group's offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. Prior to that, he held a number of senior and regional roles with ABN Amro Asset Management in Asia, and led the firm's sales, product and marketing efforts. A native of Sweden, Kratz has also worked as a financial analyst, head of research, portfolio manager and chief investment officer, at Alfred Berg Asset Management and H. Lunden Fondkommission based in Stockholm, Sweden. He holds a bachelor of arts from Gothenburg School of Economics (Sweden) and a master of business administration from Warwick Business School (England).
“Northern Trust is becoming well-known for investment excellence in Asia-Pacific and I am eager to build on that reputation as we continue our strategy of sustainable growth in the region,” Kratz said. “I look forward to leading our local team to develop high-quality, outcome-oriented solutions using our global index, multi-manager and active investment capabilities, delivered with the highest level of client service.”
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing global region for Northern Trust. Its assets under management for the Asia-Pacific region grew by 157 percent from 2007 to 2011, while its assets under custody have had an annual growth rate of nine percent during the same period. Northern Trust continues to win industry recognition, including the “Best Client Servicing Award” from Asia Asset Management magazine, ‘Top Rated Global Custodian in Asia Pacific’ by Global Custodian and “Best Custody Specialist” from The Asset in 2012. It is also ranked as the seventh largest institutional asset manager in Asia by Asia Asset Management magazine in its 2010 fund manager survey. (Click here to see a full list of awards Northern Trust has received).
Asset Management at Northern Trust begins with listening and leads to answers beyond the expected for our clients. The multi-asset class investment management business is comprised of Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., the investment advisor division of The Northern Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut and its subsidiaries which offer investment products and services to personal and institutional markets.
About Northern Trust
Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 U.S. states and 16 international locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2012, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$4.8 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$749.7 billion. For more than 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.
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Northern Trust (Guernsey) Limited, Northern Trust Fiduciary Services (Guernsey) Limited, and Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited are licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Northern Trust International Fund Administrators (Jersey) Limited and Northern Trust Fiduciary Services (Jersey) Limited are regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Ireland) Limited, Northern Trust Securities Services (Ireland) Limited and Northern Trust Fiduciary Services (Ireland) Limited are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Northern Trust Global Services Limited has a Luxembourg Branch, which is authorised and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Northern Trust Luxembourg Management Company S.A. is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Northern Trust Global Investments Limited has a Netherlands branch, which is authorised by the Financial Services Authority and subject to regulation in the Netherlands by the Autoriteit Financiële Markten. Northern Trust Global Services Limited has a Netherlands Branch, which is authorised and regulated in the Netherlands by De Nederlandsche Bank. Northern Trust Global Investments Limited has a Sweden branch, which is authorised by the Financial Services Authority and subject to regulation in Sweden by the Finansinspektionen. Northern Trust Global Services Ltd (UK) Sweden Filial is authorised by the Financial Services Authority and subject to regulation by the Finansinspektionen. Northern Trust Global Services Limited operates in Abu Dhabi as a Representative Office. Our registered office is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. The Northern Trust Company operates in Australia as a foreign authorised deposit-taking institution (foreign ADI) and is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. The Northern Trust Company has a branch in China regulated by the China Banking Regulatory Commission. The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K. is regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency. The Northern Trust Company has a Singapore Branch, which is a foreign wholesale bank regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Northern Trust Company operates in Canada as The Northern Trust Company, Canada Branch, which is an authorised foreign bank branch under the Bank Act (Canada). Trustee related services in Canada are provided by the wholly owned subsidiary The Northern Trust Company, Canada, an authorised trust company under the Trust & Loans Companies Act (Canada). Deposits with The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.
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1 AUM includes clients in pooled funds