The Japanese asset management company has made a senior hire within its EMEA business.

Nikko Asset Management has appointed Udo von Werne as chief executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Von Werne previously worked at Pictet Asset Management where he was head of institutional clients for Continental Europe. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry, having also worked at Zurich Financial Services and UBS.

Based in London, von Werne will report to Nikko’s president and chief executive, Takumi Shibata. He will lead operations in the EMEA region, which the company said represents institutional assets under management potential of $3.9 trillion, around one-third of total global assets under management. Von Werne takes over from Michael Mulholland who has served as acting president of Nikko Asset Management Europe for the past two years. During this period, Mulholland assumed the position of chief operating officer for Europe, a role he will retain.

“In our effort to strengthen our global footprint, Udo will be instrumental in helping us to further expand, and his appointment demonstrates the importance we attach to growing our EMEA business,” said Shibata.

“Udo brings considerable institutional experience in Europe, and we look forward to serving our clients there, under his leadership,” added executive chairman David Semaya.

The hire follows that of Raphael Marechal who joined Nikko’s London team earlier this month from BlackRock as senior portfolio manager, global emerging markets.