Mr Thomas will take up his new role at the end of February 2008 and he will relocate from New York to Hong Kong. He will remain on the firm’s global management committee. The company said that Stephen Roach will continue as the chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia.
The company also announced that Stuart Bohart, Jay Mantz and Stephen Trevor will co-lead Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Mr Mantz and Mr Trevor will continue to co-head the merchant banking group, which comprises real estate investing, private equity and infrastructure. Mr Bohart will head all Morgan Stanley Investment Management business outside of merchant banking.
John Mack, chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, said: Owen has demonstrated the strategic vision and leadership skills necessary to manage and grow complex, multi-regional businesses. He helped build and run our world-class real estate franchise and, since 2005, contributed greatly to the improved performance of our asset management division, which has seen increasing revenues and assets under management.