LGIM has been increasing its presence in Asia, as well as internationally. In Asia, where it has been growing for more than 10 years, it has opened offices in Hong Kong in 2012 and Tokyo in 2017, the firm said.

The Singapore office, which will increase LGIM’s coverage for existing and prospective clients in the region, is led by Natasha Mora, managing director, Asia ex Japan. Mora has served in senior roles across L&G Group and LGIM since she joined the firm in 2006.

LGIM said it has also expanded its distribution team in response to growing demand. Gerald Koh has been appointed as head of wholesale for Asia (ex-Japan), reporting to Mora. After joining the firm in August, Koh will lead the development of LGIM’s wholesale business across Asia and will be responsible for client acquisition and support across private banks, wealth managers and other intermediaries. Prior to joining LGIM, Koh was head of intermediaries, Southeast Asia at T Rowe Price Singapore. He has also served in senior roles at Schroder Investment Management Singapore, Pimco Asia and Credit Suisse Asset Management, the firm added.

In addition, Heston Goh joined in September as sales director, South-East Asia Institutions, adding depth to LGIM’s coverage of institutional asset owners in the region. Goh reports to Jackson Loi, head of institutional sales for Asia ex Japan, the firm said in a statement. He is joining from Eastspring Investments (Singapore) where he was head of institutional sales and responsible for Singapore and the Southeast Asia region. 

Singapore is also home to LGIM’s newly-established Asia ex-Japan investment stewardship team which will spearhead the firm’s investment engagement activities and ESG priorities across the region, led by Trista Chen (pictured). Prior to joining LGIM, Chen worked for global sustainability consultancy firm, ERM, where she led the financial sector and ESG transaction advisory services in APAC. Before that, she worked for Pilko and co-founded SG Environment in Shanghai, an environmental service provider, the firm said. She reports to Michael Marks, head of responsible investment integration.

“While we have been servicing institutional clients in the Asia Pacific region for over a decade, our new office in Singapore will add depth, business capability, investment expertise and brand profile in Asia, complementing our existing presence in Hong Kong and Tokyo,” Michelle Scrimgeour, CEO at LGIM said. 

“Due to the city-state’s regional influence and connectivity worldwide, opening an office in Singapore is an important milestone in our international growth strategy. This new local office affirms our commitment to the region, allows us to pursue new business opportunities and will elevate our ESG advocacy across Asia,” she added. 

London-headquartered LGIM is a large European asset manager, with total assets under management of £1.16 trillion ($1.47 trillion).