Lehman poaches Wendel from Goldman Sachs

Lehman Brothers has brought on board Christopher Wendel from Goldman Sachs to head its equity sales practice for Asia. Wendel will continue to be based in Japan reporting to Hyung S. Lee, head of equities and fixed income, Asia, also in Tokyo, and to Ajay Nagpal, global head of equities sales in New York.

Wendel is expected to broaden LehmanÆs equity client franchises throughout Asia. Lee comments: ôChris Wendel's outstanding track record will be a significant boost in helping bring the firmÆs Japan and Asia franchises to the next level. His appointment reflects our continued commitment to expanding our Asia business.ö

Wendel was appointed managing director at Goldman Sachs in December, 2001 and most recently held the position of co-head of pan-Asian distribution for the equity product group at Goldman Sachs in Tokyo. He holds a masters from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and is currently a member of Tufts Asian Advisory Group. Prior to that he received a Bachelor of Science degree in foreign service from Georgetown University.

Lehman has been on a hiring spree of late in an effort to strengthen its presence in Asia. It recently announced the recruitment of Dr Wei Yen as managing director and head of ratings advisory for Asia, Juhi Prasad as senior vice president, head of leveraged finance for Asia, Hiroshi Wakutsu as head of global finance in Japan and Terence Lim as head of global finance solutions for Asia.