Kenno names Chris Hunt as CIO as Vietnam market upgrade opens new investor demand

Kenno has appointed former Macquarie Asia research head Chris Hunt as chief investment officer, effective Oct. 14, 2026, as the Singapore-based Vietnam specialist positions for growth. The move comes as Vietnam enters FTSE Russell’s Secondary Emerging Market indices in a phased inclusion through September 2027, potentially widening the firm’s investor base.

Why it matters: - Kenno is adding a senior investment leader as Vietnam gains greater visibility in global benchmarks. - The FTSE Russell upgrade could pull more international capital toward Vietnamese equities. - Kenno is aiming to use the change to expand through new products and partnerships.

What happened: - Kenno appointed Chris Hunt as chief investment officer, effective Oct. 14, 2026. - Hunt is based in Singapore and will lead Kenno’s investment team. - Hunt will oversee the firm’s investment process. - The appointment supports Kenno’s growth plans. - Kenno focuses on Vietnamese equities and is based in Singapore.

The details: - Hunt has more than 30 years of research and investment experience. - Hunt previously led pan-regional equity research teams at Macquarie, CIMB and HSBC. - Hunt has lived and worked in eight countries across Asia. - Hunt most recently served as head of research for HSC Securities in Ho Chi Minh City. - Mikael Nastamo, Kenno’s CEO and co-founder, said Hunt brings extensive Asia research leadership and a deep understanding of Vietnam. - Nastamo said Hunt shares Kenno’s values and commitment to putting clients first. - Vietnam was reclassified by FTSE Russell to Secondary Emerging Market status in September 2026. - Index inclusion is being phased in through September 2027. - Kenno has invested in Vietnam since 2015. - Kenno sees the market change as a chance to broaden its international investor base. - Hunt said Kenno’s local knowledge and fundamental research create an attractive investment proposition. - Hunt said disciplined valuation, rigorous research and patience matter when share prices diverge from a business’s underlying value.

Between the lines: - The hire strengthens Kenno’s leadership just as Vietnam becomes more relevant to global index investors. - The appointment suggests Kenno wants to turn its Vietnam specialization into a larger institutional platform. - The FTSE Russell move may increase attention on managers with local research depth and active stock selection capabilities.

What's next: - Kenno is likely to use the new CIO role to support product expansion and new partnerships. - The phased FTSE Russell inclusion through September 2027 could create a longer window for investor inflows and market repricing. - Kenno will continue managing capital for professional investors in Europe and Asia while operating from Singapore and Hanoi. - Kenno Asset Management Pte. Ltd. holds a Capital Markets Services licence for fund management from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. - More information is available at kenno.com. - Kenno’s LinkedIn page is here.