BTIG Hong Kong, the insitutional brokerage and fund service firm, has hired Jesse H Lentchner as chief executive officer of its Asia-Pacific subsidiaries as part of its expansion plans in the region.

Mr Lentchner joins BTIG after over ten years in senior positions at Goldman Sachs Asia, including co-head of execution services for Asia, managing director and head of securities in India and head of the equities and fixed income businesses. In his new role, he will be based in Hong Kong and will be responsible for overseeing BTIG's operations in Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

"BTIG's Asia-Pacific business is poised for considerable growth over the coming years," said Kevin Chessen, the head of international trading, in a statement. "Jesse will work with the firm's existing teams across the region to drive the business forward and provide clients with a seamless and effective global platform."

The company has over 30 professionals in the region and a six-person Japan-focused team based in the US. Mr Lentchner's appointment takes effect in June 2010.