Macrobond Financial, a provider of economic and financial data and analytics, has named Ian Hissey Regional Managing Director for Asia Pacific.
Based in Hong Kong, Hissey will build on the company’s success in a region that has seen unprecedented demand for data and analytics and continue the expansion of its business into Japan and South Korea.
Macrobond is the world’s most comprehensive source of economic intelligence for more than 4,000 finance professionals. It delivers instant access to macroeconomic and financial time-series data from more than 2,500 sources, combined with integrated analytics that enable users to find, analyse and visualise data, gain strategically relevant insights, and collaborate across their businesses.
“Asia is our fastest growing market and I’m delighted that Ian is on the ground there to help us capture the opportunities. His long experience in the financial data and analytics industry, combined with his deep local knowledge, will enable us to connect to new customers while better supporting existing ones across the region,” says Howard Rees, Chief Commercial Officer, Macrobond.
Hissey has previously managed teams focused on portfolio analytics and quantitative analysis in Australia and across APAC. Prior to joining Macrobond, he spent 12 years at FactSet, most recently in Tokyo, where he was responsible for the financial data and software company’s rapidly expanding Risk and Quantitative research business lines across the region.
Hissey’s appointment follows announcements of three new hires in the UK and US, and the recent opening of Macrobond’s Stockholm office.
Hissey says: “The increasing demand for deep China and Asian economic data in APAC is providing Macrobond with strong growth in the region. Our high frequency data sets – such as locally sourced Covid data – was particularly helpful for our customers; the built-in power modelling and collaboration tools helped many of them cope with pandemic restrictions.
“We have made significant investments in acquiring data in Asia. As a result, we’ve gathered more than 100 clients across APAC and we expect that to continue to accelerate. I’m excited to bring Macrobond’s global perspective to even more customers.”
Commenting on how Macrobond’s wealth of Chinese data helps him do his job more easily, Paul Hsiao, Global Economist for PineBridge Investments in Hong Kong, says: “As a global economist I look at a wide amount of data in order to develop a compelling investment thesis. This includes economic indicators, financial markets metrics, as well as what really is going on in the markets, in order to deliver these insights to our portfolio managers, clients, as well as the investment teams.”
Hsiao adds: “What really is important to me is data on the region – this includes data on China, which, for a very long time, has been difficult to obtain. I really appreciate primary pieces of information straight from the Chinese national statistics office, as well as alternative data that third parties, as well as super nationals, collect as well.”
