BNP Paribas AM Names New APAC Chief

The financial services industry veteran, who joins from rival J.P. Morgan Asset Management, brings a wealth of experience in the investment management industry and deep knowledge of key client segments in the region.

BNP Paribas Asset Management on Wednesday announced the appointment of Steven Billiet as head of Asia Pacific, with effect from 8 August 2020. He succeeds Ligia Torres, who is retiring from the firm and will return to Europe in August.

Based in Hong Kong, Billet will be responsible for further accelerating the strategic expansion of BNPP AM’s Asia Pacific business, and will facilitate a more integrated approach to driving growth in the region, the announcement said.

Billet joined the firm in March as its Asia Pacific head of distribution and will retain these responsibilities alongside his new role. He reports to Sandro Pierri, BNPP AM global head of client group, and locally to Eric Raynaud, head of BNP Paribas in Asia Pacific.

Billiet was previously chief executive officer for J.P. Morgan Asset Management (Singapore), responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s asset management business in Singapore as well as in South and Southeast Asia and Korea.

Before joining the firm in January 2014, Billiet spent 19 years with ING, 12 of which in Asia where he held a number of senior roles such as, CEO of Investment Management Asia Pacific (Singapore), CEO of Investment Management Australia, CEO of Investment Management Taiwan and India Country Head of Private Banking and Wealth Management.

Billiet’s predecessor Torres retired after more than 23 years with BNP Paribas, including seven with BNP Paribas Asset Management.

During her tenure at the firm, she contributed to significant growth in the region, and played a particularly important role in upholding the firm’s sustainability strategy and enhancing our external visibility on the sustainable investment agenda with our clients, Frédéric Janbon, BNPP AM chief executive officer, said.