BNP Paribas Asset Management (‘BNPP AM’) today announced the appointment of Jeff French as the firm’s Head of Investor Relations, Private Assets Asia Pacific, effective 1st April 2025. Based in Singapore, Jeff reports to Mike Nikou, BNPP AM Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for driving private asset growth, managing client relationships together with the region’s sales teams, and working closely with the Private Asset teams.
Jeff joins BNPP AM from OMERS Private Equity where he was Managing Director and Asia Head, and responsible for leading the company’s investment activities in Asia Pacific, including deal sourcing, execution and portfolio management. Prior to that, he held senior roles at Blackstone’s corporate private equity group in Singapore, as well as Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse’s investment banking groups, advising clients on M&A and other capital market transactions in New York and Singapore.
Commenting on the appointment, Mike says: “Jeff brings extensive expertise and acute understanding of the Asian private equity space and a proven track record to his new role. Armed with over 15 years of experience covering both emerging and developed markets, he possesses a wealth of execution experience in general partner and limited partner roles, having invested across a broad range of industries and transaction types, and also in the capacity as a capital allocator.
“We have seen growing interest among Asian investors in private assets and Jeff’s appointment is part of BNPP AM’s broader strategy in growing the private asset business in the region; while further cementing our commitment to providing clients with a broader range of product offerings and sources of alpha,” adds Mike.
“Institutional investors as well as private wealth are increasingly looking for private assets, including for a European exposure. The asset class is becoming a key component of their portfolio allocation. We are thrilled to have Jeff on board to address this growing opportunity,” Alexandra Solnik, Head of Investor Relations, Private Assets comments.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
