Mr. Masafumi Hikima President & CEO Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd.

After a four year career at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Mr. Hikima entered into the asset management business in 1985. Since then he has held extensive professional roles ranging from portfolio management and quantitative research & development to international marketing.

Mr. Hikima has served Japanese and non-Japanese pension fund sponsors for some time - including foreign governments and international organizations - as an investment advisor and later focused more on new business areas in Japan such as Defined Contribution Plans and Private Placement Funds. He has also taken the initiative in developing the first SRI Funds in Japan such as "Nikko Eco Fund" and "Globe".

He became the President & CEO for Nikko Asset Management in January 2002, after serving as Executive Director, Head of Product & Business Development for three years. He received a B.A. in International Finance from Sophia University and is a Chartered Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan as well as a CFA in the United States.