Lazard, the US-based financial advisory and asset management firm, has named a new senior advisor for the Asia-Pacific region.

Jesse Bhattal takes up his new role with immediate effect. Previously, he was president and chief executive of Nomura's global wholesale division and chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers Asia. At Lazard, he will be responsible for advising senior management staff on clients and international  strategic initiatives.

In a statement,Kenneth Jacobs, chairman and CEO ofLazard, referred to Bhattal as "one of the most accomplished deal-makers in the Asia-Pacific region." Bhattal played a key role in the sale of the Asian and European businesses of Lehman Brothers to Nomura in 2008.

Lazard's Asia-Pacific offices are in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo.