Bell Asset Management (BAM) has announced the expansion of its investment research team with three new additions.
In late 2023, Darshana Nair Syama assumed the role of global equities analyst, reporting to chief investment officer Ned Bell.
According to the firm, Ms Nair Syama will collaborate with the broader investment team to drive Bell AM’s core “quality at a reasonable price” investment framework.
She joins the asset manager after a five-year stint at Goldman Sachs as a consumer, travel, retail, and gaming analyst. Before this, she worked at HSBC in India, responsible for covering the European media and satellites sector.
Meanwhile, Johnson Weng joined Bell AM as a global equity analyst in January 2024, bringing more than a decade of investment experience to the role.
Most recently, Mr Weng led Kiwi Health’s global equities portfolio, and before this, spent five years across equity analyst roles with the firm.
Also in January, Bell AM welcomed Katrina Lee as an equity analyst, with the firm highlighting its commitment to “fostering young talent”.
Having graduated from the University of Melbourne with a bachelor of commerce in 2020, Ms Lee has since worked as a graduate in ANZ’s Australian retail and commercial division and spent over two years as an analyst at Vesparum Capital.
According to Bell AM, the expansion of its investment research team has underscored its commitment to “robust fundamental bottom-up company research”.
Mr Bell similarly expressed his enthusiasm for the new investment team appointments, stating: “We are thrilled to have Darshana, Johnson, and Katrina join our team. Their expertise and knowledge of key industry sectors will enhance our existing investment team and strengthen our research capabilities.”
“Over 21 years we have developed a disciplined, research-led approach to stock selection that has produced consistent returns for our clients through a variety of market cycles,” he continued.
“As an active investment manager, BAM acknowledges the critical significance of attracting and retaining top-tier investment talent. These appointments highlight our ongoing focus and dedication to delivering value to our clients.”
Bell AM, which has been in operations since 2003, has $5.2 billion in assets under management.
