06 Jan 2025
Prudential Appoints Chief Economist
HONG KONG [6 January 2025] – Prudential plc (“Prudential”) today announced that Eastspring Investments (“Eastspring”), its asset management arm, has appointed Ray Farris as Chief Economist. In this newly created role, Mr. Farris will drive economic analysis and insights for both Prudential and Eastspring.
As Prudential's first Chief Economist, Ray will provide macroeconomic views and research in alignment with an evolving global economic and geopolitical landscape. His expertise and perspective will be instrumental in developing a unified house view. At Eastspring, Ray will provide in-depth macroeconomic data, trends and insights to guide investment and asset allocation decisions. Based in Singapore, Ray will report to Eastspring Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Vis Nayar.
Bill Maldonado, Chief Executive Officer, Eastspring Investments, said, “Ray joins us at a pivotal time, against a global macroeconomic backdrop marked by heightened uncertainty and complexity. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to enhance our asset allocation deep and financial outcomes. Ray’s breadth and depth of experience, coupled with his understanding of global economics and markets, will be invaluable to our investment teams and clients.”
With more than 30 years’ experience as an economist and strategist for international financial services firms, Mr. Farris has led research in economics, markets and policy across three continents. He spent 22 years at Credit Suisse in various leadership roles, most recently as Global Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer for the Americas based in New York. From 2001 to 2022, he was predominantly based in Singapore with Credit Suisse, in various positions including Chief Investment Officer for South Asia, and Head of Asia Economics and Fixed Income Strategy. Mr. Farris started his career in Hong Kong in 1991 as Head of Economics and Equity Strategy at Crosby Securities.
Mr. Farris holds a Master of Science in Finance from London Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina.
END
Media contacts
About Prudential plc
Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management in 24 markets across Asia and Africa. Prudential’s mission is to be the most trusted partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (2378) and the London Stock Exchange (PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.
Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.
https://www.prudentialplc.com/
About Eastspring Investments
Eastspring Investments, part of Prudential plc, is a leading Asia-based asset manager that manages USD 271 billion (as of 30 September 2024) of assets on behalf of institutional and retail clients. Operating since 1994, Eastspring Investments has one of the widest footprints among asset management companies across Asia*. We provide investment solutions across a broad range of strategies including equities, fixed income, multi asset, quantitative and alternatives and are committed to delivering high quality investment outcomes for our clients over the long term.
We incorporate ESG factors into our investment process and are aligned with a number of global sustainability initiatives including the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI) and the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC). We collaborate alongside industry peers to harness a collective investor voice to influence and drive change with investee companies.
For more information on Eastspring Investments, please visit: www.eastspring.com
*Eastspring Investments companies (excluding joint venture companies) are ultimately wholly owned/indirect subsidiaries of Prudential plc of the United Kingdom. Eastspring Investments companies (including joint venture companies) and Prudential plc are not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or with the Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc (a company incorporated in the United Kingdom).