ABN Amro Asia has announced the latest senior personnel changes, taking to four the number of people who have headed the company's regional strategy this year. The regional investment banking arm of the Netherlands' ABN Amro Group said yesterday former Peregrine Investments Holdings and Santander Investment executive Christopher Wood would take up the post from November 30. 'The new [hire represents] the latest stage in the development of a comprehensive Asia-Pacific equities franchise and its integration into the global investment banking division of the ABN Amro Group,' the firm said. It added that it was 'responding to the challenges of reshaping itself in line with changing market conditions in Asia'. Mr Wood will replace Eugene Galbraith, who will leave the company at the end of next month. Mr Galbraith had directed strategy since June, when he assumed responsibilities from Ajay Singh Kapur on a temporary basis, alongside his position as research head. Mr Kapur was at ABN Amro Asia for just three months before crossing over to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. He was hired in March to replace regional strategist Jake van der Kamp. ABN Amro Asia chief executive Roger Sharp said: 'Major steps have been made during the course of 1998 to build the Asia-Pacific equities business.' The company said Mr Galbraith - who was unavailable for comment yesterday - had 'decided to leave . . . [and is] considering a number of alternative opportunities both within and outside the ABN Amro Asia group'. Mr Wood, who will take up his duties on November 30, was managing director and global emerging markets strategist for Santander, which picked up the failed Peregrine's core equity operations this year. ABN Amro Asia also said it had appointed Tim Boyce as group finance director and managing director. Mr Boyce, who will take up his duties from January 1, was previously chief operating officer and managing director at SG Securities Asia in Singapore.
