CLS Group Holdings, the Swiss financial services group, has appointed a new head for the Asia-Pacific region.

Effective 1 March, Makoto Miyazaki takes the role of general manager, Asia-Pacific based in Tokyo. Miyazaki joins the company from MST Insurance Service, where he was senior managing director. Prior to that, he worked for The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ's offices in London, New York and Japan. His most recent roles include general manager of the London branch, general manager of payment and clearing, chief manager of securities investment and chief manager of funds and foreign exchange. 

At CLS Group Holdings, he will be responsible for all Asia-Pacific related operations, reporting to Alan Bozian, the chief executive officer. He succeeds Kiyoshi Morofushi, who is retiring after 12 years with the firm. 

CLS Bank International, the company's main subsidiary, is one of the largest multi-currency cash settlement system's in the foreign exchange market and operates in 17 countries and currencies. The company has a central bank account with the Bank of Japan to facilitate the settlement of the Japanese yen, as well in the respective central banks and currencies of Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.