US-based multinational investment management and financial services company Morgan Stanley (MS.N) has named Rikhit Badalia as its new head for its merger and acquisition (M&A) for Southeast Asia. Badalia’s appointment to the post has come into effect immediately.

In his most recent role, Badalia was serving Morgan Stanley as executive director in Hong Kong. In his new role at Morgan Stanley, Badalia has taken over from Jonathan Pflug.

A graduate of St Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata, Badalia is an experienced investment banking professional currently focused on M&A transactions at Morgan Stanley.

Previously, he spent seven years based in Singapore covering Asia-Pacific TMT companies executing multiple capital raising and M&A transactions for clients in the region.

Badalia started his stint with Morgan Stanley as an analyst in its Mumbai office in 2010. Later he took up roles in Singapore and Hong Kong with a focus on the tech, media, and telecoms sectors.