The new hire is replacing current EMEA CEO, who will leave his role at the end of December.

Tokyo-headquartered Nikko Asset Management has appointed current Nikko Asset Management Europe chairman, John Howland-Jackson, as Europe, Middle East and Africa chief executive, effective from 1 January 2018. He will replace current holder of the role, Udo von Werne, who has decided to leave the firm and will remain in the role until the end of December. 

Based in London, Howland-Jackson will be responsible for all aspects of the firm’s business across the EMEA segment. The Financial Conduct Authority has yet to approve the appointment.

Howland-Jackson joined Nikko AM as EMEA vice chairman in November 2014. He has more than 40 years of commercial and investment banking experience.

Also, Nikko AM group head of consultant relations Ian Lewis has been appointed head of EMEA sales and global head of consultant relations, effective 1 Decmeber. He will also be based in London and this appointment is subject to its board of directors approval.

Lewis joined Nikko AM in October 2014 as group head of consultant relations in Singapore, and subsequently moved into the same role in London in August 2016. He has nearly 30 years' experience in the sector.

“As a global asset manager with a strong historic foot hold across Asia, we represent a unique offering for our clients in EMEA, as they explore destinations for progressive investment solutions in this dynamic part of the world," said Nikko AM representative director, president & CEO, Takumi Shibata. "Our team in EMEA is well positioned to deliver on this opportunity.”

Nikko AM has been headquartered in Asia since 1959, and the firm has around $184.1 billion in assets under management.