This follows the firm’s recent announcement that Owen Thomas, Asia CEO since February 2008, has decided to return to the US in June.
Christianson has worked for Morgan Stanley for over eight years in Hong Kong and Beijing, and has been active in the investment banking industry in China for over 15 years. She is currently CEO of Morgan Stanley China and will continue in this role in addition to her new responsibilities.
A senior banker with over 30 years in the investment banking industry and 18 years at the firm, Strong is currently a vice chairman of Investment Banking and head of the US Midwestern region for Morgan Stanley, based in Chicago.
Strong will relocate to Hong Kong in the near future, while Christianson will remain based in Beijing.
Morgan Stanley president and CEO James Gorman said with China at its heart, Asia Pacific is a critical growth region for the firm and an increasingly important part of our global business.
"Morgan Stanley has built a leading and differentiated franchise in the region, most recently under the stewardship of Owen Thomas, and we will continue to invest in and expand our platforms and further grow market share there," Gorman said.
