Meet BNP Paribas Investment Partners's new head of official institutions in Asia Pacific

What's in store for BNPP IP?

BNP Paribas Investment Partners (BNPP IP) announced that Puay-Lit Tan has been appointed as Head of Official Institutions, Asia Pacific, in conjunction with his role as Deputy CEO, Singapore. He joined the firm on 7 November 2013.

Based in Singapore, Puay-Lit will also serve as Head of Institutional Business for South & South East Asia. He reports to T F Cheng, Head of Asia Pacific Institutional Business Development.

Asian Banking & Finance got the chance to interview him and get exclusive insights.

ABF: What makes you excited about your new position?

The official institutions segment is one of the 3 core business segments created within BNPP IP’s Asia-Pacific business. It is a clear decision by the firm to focus on what has been and will continue to be a key client segment going forward. The market environment for investors across the board continues to be challenging. I am excited to be able to leverage my previous experience, having worked within official institutions as well as with them in my previous roles, to assist in providing solutions to their investment needs – by drawing upon BNPP IP’s strong suite of investment strategies and expertise.

ABF: What three goals are you focused on?

By creating a focus segment on official institutions, we plan to put more resources and thought behind deepening the existing relationships which we already have, as well as to broaden our reach across the official institution space. Many of these institutions already know BNPP IP well, so it will mean putting further thought into how we are able to serve this client segment even better as well as to improve their experience when working with BNPP IP.

ABF: What will you do differently in this position?

My previous roles with asset management firms largely focused on institutional relationships within SE Asia – which also included official institutions. This new role in BNPP IP adds a further dimension in working with official institutions across Asia Pac. While investors across the region can be different, there will also be similarities such that we can draw upon lessons to apply them across the broader region.

ABF: What changes are you planning for?

Given that this is a new structure for the Asia Pac business, the changes will mainly revolve around re-orientating resources to serve the client segment needs. In instances where additional resources are needed, BNPP IP will look to add them where necessary.

ABF: What are your key business philosophies?

To truly understand a client’s needs and put it as the top priority.

To recognize that a client relationship is a long-term one.

To make every relationship a win-win.

ABF: What previous positions prepared you for this one and how?

I’ve had the privilege of beginning my career by working in a central bank as well a sovereign wealth fund. The exposure and breadth of experiences in these organisations have indeed been immeasurable. They have served me well in my subsequent roles in asset management companies, where I was able to draw upon these experiences to represent my firm to these set of clients.