Wealth Solutions & Wealth Planning

EY announced Jonathan Zhao as EY Asia-Pacific Financial Services Regional Managing Partner

The EY organization has announced the appointment of Jonathan Zhao as Regional Managing Partner (RMP) of its Asia-Pacific Financial Services Organization (FSO), succeeding Gary Hwa, effective 1 July 2024.

Patrick Winter, EY Asia-Pacific Area Managing Partner says: “Our financial services business is an integral part of our Asia-Pacific and global organizations. Jonathan brings decades of deep industry expertise and relationships from around the world to benefit some of our largest clients worldwide. As he transitions into his new role, I look forward to seeing our next chapter of growth in financial services as we continue to focus on client needs and exceptional client service.”

Zhao is currently the EY Asia-Pacific FSO Strategy and Transactions Leader since 2018, where he is responsible for driving EY’s Connected Capital Solutions (five distinct service offerings around Strategy, Corporate Finance, Buy and Integrate, Sell and Separate, and Reshaping Results) for financial services clients across Asia-Pacific, driving all aspects of clients' capital and transaction strategies. In 2013, he served as EY Asia-Pacific Insurance Sector Leader. Zhao joined EY in 2000 and was transferred from the Chicago office to Hong Kong in 2005 to provide leadership, enhanced coordination, and knowledge transfer between EY Global and EY Asia-Pacific.

He has nearly 30 years of extensive experience in advising financial services institutions on complex strategies, mergers & acquisitions, business process integration and transformation, as well as risk management and performance improvements. He has led numerous multibillion-dollar transactions across Asia-Pacific and is well-recognized in the market as the leading insurance deal advisor in Asia-Pacific. As the Asia-Pacific FSO Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DE&I) Sponsor, he works with partners, professionals, and clients to promote and champion diversity, social equity, inclusiveness and driving positive change in the workplace.

Jonathan Zhao, EY Asia-Pacific Financial Services Regional Managing Partner-elect says: “I am honored to be selected to lead the EY Asia-Pacific Financial Services business. We have remarkable people in our team, which has continued to grow over the years, and I am proud of their achievements. As I transition into this role, I aim to build on this solid foundation and grow our business further, leaning on my years of experience leading some of our largest global client accounts.”

The FSO is a fully dedicated and integrated entity with a unique approach focused exclusively on servicing the needs of EY’s clients in the financial services industry. It represents many of the largest, most well-respected names in asset management, banking, capital markets, insurance and wealth management.