He will lead Azimut's Asia’s business across the regional offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei. His strategy priorities include expanding the fund business and developing cross-border solutions for private and institutional clients across the region.

Chao, who joined Azimut Group in 2011, served as general manager and legal representative of Azimut China. He has overseen the development of the private fund manager and qualified domestic limited partnership businesses in China. Prior to Azimut, he was vice president, fixed income special opportunities group at Lehman Brothers in New York. He holds a BA in economics from Yale University and an MBA from CEIBS.

As of the end of June, Azimut had more than S$170 billion ($132.6 billion) at the group level. It has more than 2,200 financial advisors and 1,700 employees worldwide. Of that number, more than 70 are in Singapore. The group has offices in Italy, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China and Hong Kong, Egypt, Ireland, Luxembourg, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taipei, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

In April, Azimut Group appointed Jackson Ng, who is based in Singapore, as regional head of fintech, Asia.

In December 2024, Azimut agreed with China Universal Asset Management to explore setting up exchange-traded fund links between Chinese and international markets.