Ex-Goldman Sachs exec appointed Alibaba president

Michael Evans, Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs and Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia, speaks at the 2nd Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai, May 15, 2009.[Photo/IC]

BEIJING - Alibaba Group has named Michael Evans, a former executive of Goldman Sachs Group, as president of the company to lead its global expansion.

Evans will be responsible for leading and executing Alibaba's international growth strategy to globalize the company and grow the business outside of China, according to a statement the company filed with the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

Alibaba Group CEO Daniel Zhang said the company has been laying the foundation for globalization for years and now needs a global team to realize the ambition.

Evans has served as an independent director of Alibaba since the company's IPO in September 2014. Prior to joining Alibaba, Evans served as vice chairman of Goldman Sachs.