Biography

Robert G. Ashe retired from IBM Corporation (“IBM”) in January 2012, where he had most recently served as General Manager of Business Analytics from 2010 to 2012 and before that as General Manager of Business Intelligence and Performance Management since 2008, following IBM’s acquisition of Cognos Inc. (“Cognos”), a Canadian provider of business intelligence and performance management software. Mr. Ashe worked for Cognos from 1984 to 2008, holding various executive positions, including most recently President and Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2008, President and Chief Operating Officer from 2002 to 2004 and Chief Corporate Officer from 2001 to 2002, during a portion of which time he also served as Chief Financial Officer. He also held various Senior Vice President positions in Worldwide Field Operations, Products and Application Development Tools from 1996 to 2001. Prior to that, he held various Vice President roles within Product Development and Corporate Finance. Mr. Ashe also currently serves on the board of directors of Shopify Inc. Mr. Ashe holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting from the University of Ottawa. Mr. Ashe is also a Certified Public Accountant in Canada.

Mr. Ashe has over 30 years of experience, including in oversight of finance, product marketing, software development, revenue growth initiatives and strategic transactions. While at Cognos, a maker of business intelligence and performance management software, and where he served as both CEO and CFO, he executed strategic acquisitions and led the successful integration of Cognos following its acquisition by IBM. As a former CFO, he has also acquired expertise in corporate finance and accounting, financial reporting and internal controls. His experience in the technology sector also allows him to provide valuable insights on MSCI’s technology strategy.