Top European institutional asset manager heads to Asia

LGIM boasts of over 3,300 clients.

According to a release, Legal & General Investment Management, one of Europe's largest institutional asset managers and a major global investor, continues its strategy of international expansion with the launch of its business in the Asia Pacific region, headquartered in Hong Kong.

Led by Alan Flynn, Head of Asia Pacific, LGIM will provide index and fixed income solutions to large institutional clients across the region. John Bridges, who has relocated to Hong Kong, will take up the role of Head of Operations.

LGIM is one of the largest institutional investment management companies in the world and manages US$670 billion in assets for more than 3,300 clients.

Throughout the past 40 years, LGIM has built its business through understanding what matters most to clients and transforming this insight into valuable, accessible investment products and solutions.

Today, LGIM is one of the world's leading providers of index fund management and a major investor in global fixed income markets.

Mike Craston, LGIM's Managing Director Global Institutional Business, said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of LGIM's Asia Pacific business. International expansion is a strategic objective for us and Asia is a major element in that strategy.

As Asian sovereign wealth and national funds continue to seek diversification and place larger allocations overseas, they are increasingly turning to specialist managers with the track record and scale of firms such as LGIM to provide investment solutions."

Alan Flynn, Head of Asia Pacific, said: "LGIM has an exceptional reputation among institutional clients across Europe, the Middle East and the US, I now see an exciting opportunity to develop a sustainable business in the Asia Pacific region.

Our initial focus will be the provision of our market-leading Fixed Income and Index capabilities, with further expansion driven by our focus on meeting and exceeding client needs."

International expansion has been a key factor in LGIM's recent successes. By focusing on the needs of local investors, LGIM has established a significant presence in the US, Europe and Gulf.

Net inflows from international clients increased by 73% in 2012 compared to 2011, and assets under management increased from US$49 billion (£32 billion) to US$66 billion (£43 billion).