BNP Paribas Asset Management has appointed Zhikai Chen as head of Asian equities, based in Hong Kong. He replaces Arthur Kwong who is leaving the firm to pursue other opportunities. Chen will report to Guy Davies, global CIO for fundamental active equities.

Jinwen Ouyang and Roxy Wong, two portfolio managers with whom Chen has built a proven track record in managing Asia ex-Japan equities at Lombard Odier, have also been hired. They will join the rest of the team across Hong Kong and Malaysia to help strengthen the firm’s equities strategies, and complement the China and global emerging equities teams.

Chen has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry, including with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Putnam Investments. Prior to his latest appointment, he had served as head of Asia ex-Japan equities for Lombard Odier since 2012.