Lobello heads up CLSA in Malaysia

CLSA has appointed Chris Lobello to the post of country head in Malaysia. The move was announced subsequent to the opening of new offices following the approval in principal granted to CLSA to operate a full service brokerage in Malaysia.

Having joined CLSA at the start of 2002 as regional risk and trading strategist, Lobello moved to Kuala Lumpur earlier this year from Japan. He was previously based in Hong Kong.

In his former role, Lobello developed quantitative-based equity trading strategies and worked alongside CLSA&'s research strategy team in the development of other forms of quantitative research. Prior to joining CLSA, Lobello headed up Nomura's regional ex-Japan quantitative research team.

A former member of the Peace Corp, Lobello has enjoyed two stints at Barra, first as a research consultant and later as director of client servicing and research and operations. These roles were divided by a stretch as deputy strategist at Caspian Securities.

"Since the announcement of CLSA being granted approval as a foreign broker, we've been actively building up our Malaysia operations and strategically working towards being a top full-service firm," says Rob Morrison, CLSA's chief executive. "Chris will be an integral part of leading a talented team of people in equity research and broking."

Having operated in Kuala Lumpur since 1988, the license approval allows the bank to add on the ground sales, trading and execution, as well as a range of brokerage services, including futures and options dealing. Previously, CLSA hired Niklas Olausson as head of research and promoted Shan Choo to Head of Sales from a prior role in research.