The firm has launched a Hong Kong-based asset management business and made several appointments to support its growth.
Architas, part of the global Axa group, was approved by Hong Kong regulators as an asset manager last week. The firm announced several appointments: Zaid Alrifai as head of Architas Asia; Mai Khanh Vo as chief investment officer; and Beatrice Jiang as head of legal and compliance.
Alrifai joined Axa in 2009, and was most recently its Hong Kong-based head of business development. Mai, Axa Asia’s head of investment, joined the firm in 2017, after almost 19 years at Amundi Asset Management in France. Jiang joined the Axa in 2018 and was previously legal counsel at BNP Paribas Investment Partners.
Supporting Architas Asia’s operations are offshore responsible officers Nicolas Deschamps, Architas global head of client group, and Jaime Arguello, global chief investment officer.
The launch of our Hong Kong business is a key milestone in our mission to drive the growth of open-architecture investment solutions, said Matthieu André, who was appointed CEO of Architas in January. Previously, he was deputy CEO and chief strategic development officer of Axa Europe. He joined the firm in 1995.
André said Architas’ move strategically supports Axa group’s unit-linked strategy in Asia by providing credible and independent fund selection.
In 2017, Architas launched three Irish-domiciled globally diversified multi-manager funds as part of its regional offer in Asia. The firm recorded €35 billion in assets under management as of 31 December 2019.
