Lain whose appointment is effective April, would report to S. Kenneth Leech, co-chief investment officer of Western Asset, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason.
The promotion is part of a succession plan, with Lian serving as co-head alongside Keith Gardner, who plans to retire in April 2016, after nearly 22 years with Western Asset.
"Building upon Lian’s successful effort in expanding the Asia ex-Japan investment team, the appointment will create a two-year succession plan for the emerging markets debt investment effort,” said Western Asset.
Lian has 21 years of investment experience, including a stint at Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), where he served as head of emerging Asia portfolio management. During his time at PIMCO, he pioneered the establishment of PIMCO’s trading desk in Singapore, led the launch of Asian bond funds and held a senior role in trading, portfolio management and research.
The fund house also said it has promoted Desmond Soon, one of the Singapore investment team members, to co-head of investment management, Asia, also effective April 2014.
Western Asset is one of the world's leading fixed-income managers with US$451.6bn in assets under management as of 31 December 2013.
