First State Investments is pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Brilliant, CFA, to the role of Managing Director, Americas, effective September 8, 2017.

Based in New York, Heather will be responsible for managing the business of First State Investments in the Americas. This will involve further expanding First State Investments' market presence across the Americas with a focus on strengthening the firm's institutional capabilities including Fixed Income and Infrastructure.

Prior to joining First State Investments, Heather spent 14 years at Morningstar, Inc., most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd. In this role, Heather devised and drove various initiatives based on functional and local market priorities, including the development and implementation of a 10-year strategy to accelerate business growth. Prior to that, she led the equity and corporate credit research teams at Morningstar. Earlier in her career, Heather held roles at Coghill Capital Management, Driehaus Capital Management and Bank of America.

"We are delighted to welcome Heather to First State Investments. Her depth of experience in delivering and implementing strategies for business growth will bolster our current investment capabilities and increase our capacity to serve institutional clients across the Americas," commented Mark Lazberger, Chief Executive Officer at First State Investments.

About First State Investments

First State Investments is a global asset manager with established offices across Europe, the US, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. First State Investments manages $168.3bn (as of June 30, 2017) on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, wholesale distributors, investment platforms, financial advisers and their clients worldwide. In Australia, First State Investments operates as Colonial First State Global Asset Management. First State Investments is owned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

First State Investments offers investment capabilities across a range of asset classes and specialist investment sectors covering equities, fixed income, multi asset and direct infrastructure. Its approach to investment is driven by a commitment to provide the best possible outcomes over the long term for investors.

First State Investments (US) LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.