Austin, Texas-based Dimensional Fund Advisors has appointed Peng Chen as chief executive officer, Asia (ex-Japan). Chen joined Dimensional on July 1 from Morningstar, where he served as president of its global investment management division.
In addition, Chen will be a member of Dimensional’s Investment Policy Committee. The firm also plans to leverage his extensive experience in the global defined contribution marketplace as it continues to expand its business in that space. According to Faith Yando, a spokesperson for DFA, Chen’s position is new within the firm and he’ll be based in both Singapore and Hong Kong, where the firm will be opening offices in each location by the end of 2012.
Previously, Chen served as president of Morningstar’s global investment management division since January 2010. Prior to that, he served as president and chief investment officer at Ibbotson Associates.
"I feel like culturally, I grew up in the region so I'm going back to my roots," Chen told Money Management Executive. We have a number of existing clients there and we'll going to bring an academic-based investment approach to Asia."
