Bell AM tops up research group

Bell Asset Management has added two new analysts to its research team this year taking the number of investment professionals to eleven.

Bringing over a decade of investment experience, Johnson Weng has come on board as an equity analyst.

Johnson arrives from Kiwi Wealth, where he most recently held a portfolio manager role.

Before his six years with the New Zealand firm, he did a one-year stint at Mercer.

Bell AM said Johnson's insights and analysis will help shape the firm's investment strategies and idea generation in the global equities landscape.

The global equities boutique manager also welcomed Katrina Lee to the research team as an investment associate.

Lee joins from Vesparum, where she worked as an analyst for almost three years.

The two recruits join Darshana Nair Syama who arrived from Goldman Sachs late last year.

Speaking of the three recruits, Bell Asset Management chief investment officer Ned Bell said their expertise and knowledge of key industry sectors will enhance the existing investment team and strengthen its 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 added.

"As an active investment manager, Bell Asset Management acknowledges the critical significance of attracting and retaining top-tier investment talent."