(First State Investments) - First State Investments has announced a number of senior appointments across sales, product and key leadership positions in its Asian business as it continues its expansion in the region.

Alexis Ng has been appointed Managing Director of South East Asia, Carol Lin has been named Sales Director for Taiwan while Sabrina Leung has been appointed to the newly created role of Regional Marketing and Communications Director. All three roles will report directly to First State Investments Regional Managing Director, Asia and Japan, Michael Stapleton.

Both Ms Ng and Ms Lin join from Morgan Stanley Investment Management where they held
institutional business development roles. Ms Ng previously worked for First State Singapore where she was Head of Wholesale Business Development and will rejoin the company in her new role overseeing First State Investments Singapore, and business development across South East Asia in May 2010.

Ms Leung joins the business from Blackrock Hong Kong in April 2010 where, based in Hong Kong, she will take responsibility for overseeing First State’s marketing and communications function in Hong Kong.

Mr Stapleton said over the course of last year the business continued to enjoy strong fund flows to its Asian and China Equity Funds, and these appointments reflected the company’s strengthening commitment to the region.

“In addition to the support we have received from the Wholesale Funds market we have also
benefited from a growing level of interest and support from institutional investors across the region for a range of strategies including Global Equity, Asian Bonds, Global Resources and Infrastructure.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of such high calibre investment professionals including welcoming back a number of former staff members to these key roles, underlining our commitment to further building on our presence in the Asian region,” Mr Stapleton said.

In addition, Eric Kwan has been appointed Director of First State Cinda Fund Management taking a seat on the on the First State Cinda Board.

Mr Kwan has an established relationship with First State Investments through his role on the advisory board for the First State European Diversified Infrastructure Fund and more than 10 years experience working for Cheung Kong Group in various roles where he led the development of its businesses in China and established its infrastructure foreign joint ventures.

“Eric’s deep experience in China, and in particular his experience in managing Chinese joint ventures will prove invaluable in assisting the growth and development of First State Cinda Fund Management,” Mr Stapleton said.

Finally, Eco Tang has been appointed Senior Product Manager, Asia. Ms Tang will report directly to First State Investment’s London-based Head of Product Chris Turpin, overseeing product management and development across Asia.

Ms Tang will initially be based in Sydney before transitioning to the Hong Kong office in the near future. Ms Tang previously worked for First State Investments in Hong Kong where she undertook project management including the initial establishment of First State Cinda Fund Management and First State Investments Indonesia.