De Mello is a portfolio manager and senior business representative of Singapore operations for Western AM, Legg Mason’s global fixed income manager. When he leaves the firm he joined in July 2007, his role and responsibilities for Asian bond portfolios will be shared between Julia Ho and Keith Gardner, effective from 10 June.
Ho, portfolio manager for Asian Bond strategies in the Singapore team, joined Western AM in 2003 and has worked alongside De Mello as portfolio manager on the Dublin-based Legg Mason Western Asset Asian Opportunities Fund. She also partnered him on the macro positioning of the fund since its inception in 2008.
Gardner, head of developing markets for Western AM, is a 17-year veteran at the firm and a member of the global investment strategy and broad markets committees.
Western AM is keen to stress its team-based approach will minimise the impact of De Mello’s departure as far as the consistency of running the funds is concerned.
