NEWS
Contact: Matthews International Capital Management Names New CEO and CIOSan Francisco, CA, July 1, 2009 — Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), advisor to the Matthews Asia Funds, has announced that William J. Hackett has been named the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and Robert J. Horrocks, PhD has been appointed Chief Investment Officer. Chief Executive Officer Bill Hackett has served as President of Matthews since 2007 and now as Chief Executive Officer will oversee all areas of the firm, with the exception of investment management. Specifically, he will lead the expansion and enhancement of the company’s fund distribution and client service efforts and continue to direct Matthews’ operations and administration. Mark W. Headley was previously the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. “Bill brings extensive experience in global financial markets and proven leadership skills to this role,” said Headley. “I look forward to continuing to work with Bill to develop and enhance Matthews’ position as a leader in Asian asset management.” Prior to joining Matthews in 2007, Bill was a partner with the global investment management practice of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, where he worked for over 16 years in various capacities and global offices. Most recently, Bill managed the firm’s U.S. Pacific Southwest investment management practice, following four years leading Deloitte’s Asia Pacific investment management practice in Tokyo. In Tokyo, he was responsible for regional oversight and worked with the firm’s major Asia Pacific offices, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Prior to that, he spent three years in the firm’s Luxembourg office, where he oversaw the audits of several major investment management clients. He joined Deloitte & Touche in New York in 1990. Bill received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Scranton. Chief Investment Officer Robert Horrocks served as Matthews’ Director of Research since joining the firm in August 2008. As Chief Investment Officer, he will oversee the firm’s investment process and investment professionals and set the research agenda for the investment team. Robert is also Co-Manager of the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund. Before joining Matthews, Robert was Head of Research at Mirae Asset Management in Hong Kong. From 2003 to 2006, Robert served as Chief Investment Officer for Everbright Pramerica in China. He started his career as a Research Analyst with WI Carr Securities in Hong Kong before moving on to spend eight years working in several different Asian jurisdictions for Schroders, including stints as Country General Manager in Taiwan, Deputy Chief Investment Officer in Korea and Designated Chief Investment Officer in Shanghai. Robert earned his PhD in Chinese Economic History from Leeds University in the United Kingdom. “Robert brings tremendous Asian investment experience and expertise to Matthews,” said Mark Headley. “Since joining Matthews last year, Robert has been instrumental in advancing our bottom-up research efforts and is a great champion of our long-term approach to investing in Asia. I believe that our fund shareholders and clients will be well served with Robert in this new role.” Since January 2008, Andrew Foster served as Matthews’ acting Chief Investment Officer. Robert’s appointment as Chief Investment Officer enables Andrew to focus on his primary role as Portfolio Manager. Andrew is Lead Manager of the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund and Co-Manager of the Matthews Asia Pacific Equity Income, Matthews China, and Matthews India Funds. “During his tenure as acting Chief Investment Officer, Andrew helped navigate Matthews and our investment team through some of modern history’s most challenging financial conditions,” stated Headley. “We are grateful to Andrew for stepping in to fill this role when needed.” About Matthews You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Matthews Asia Funds carefully before making an investment decision. A prospectus with this information and other information about the Funds may be obtained by calling 1-800-789-ASIA or by visiting matthewsasia.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing as it explains the risks associated with investing in international markets. Investing in foreign securities may involve certain additional risks, including exchange-rate fluctuations, less liquidity, greater volatility and less regulation. |
