SINGAPORE & TOKYO & NEW YORK & LONDON -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

In the continued development of its global Fixed Income Group, Jefferies announced today the further expansion of the Rates sales team in the Asia Pacific region. Over the last few months, the firm has made four senior hires in a further development of its global Rates business. Shiran Dias and Sailesh K. Jha join as Managing Directors, while Jun-ichi Kasakura and Philip Wen join as Senior Vice Presidents.

Mr. Dias and Dr. Jha will be jointly responsible for establishing relationships with key client groups such as Asian central banks, private banks, domestic banks, hedge funds and real money accounts. Similarly, Messrs. Wen and Kasakura will lead the execution and client interest in Jefferies' global Rates products, with Mr. Kasakura focusing on Japan. Mr. Dias will also play a major role in enhancing senior client relationships in Japan to advance the firm's overall fixed income business.

Dr. Jha, in addition to his role in advancing Jefferies' Rates sales business in the Asia Pacific region, will lead the firm's fixed income strategy effort for the Asia region, ex-Japan, including the formulation of macro-economic views. Dr. Jha's strategic views complement global economic commentary provided by David Zervos, Ph.D., Head of Global Fixed Income Strategy for Jefferies.

"The continued expansion of our Rates team in Asia underscores the global nature and presence of Jefferies' fixed income business today," commented Tim Cronin, Global Head of Fixed Income at Jefferies. "We have significantly expanded our efforts during the past two years and now have more than 450 professionals in the US, Europe and Asia, including nearly 90 professionals focused on Rates globally."

In a joint statement, Christopher Bury and Daniel Markaity, Co-Heads of Jefferies' Global Fixed Income Rates Business, said, "Shiran, Sailesh, Jun-ichi and Philip bring immediate credibility and substance to Jefferies' Rates business in broader Asia. Their experience and relationships enhance Jefferies' ability to meet the needs of our Rates clients globally."

Mr. Dias has 20 years of experience in financial markets across credit, fixed income and foreign exchange products. He joined Jefferies from JP Morgan and has previously held senior sales positions at Countrywide Securities, Barclays and UBS. Mr. Dias brings with him strong relationships with Japanese institutional investors, hedge funds, central banks and Asian corporates.

Prior to joining Jefferies, Dr. Jha was Senior Advisor at Macallan Capital and Senior Regional Economist at Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse and DBS Bank. As a result of more than 8 years of experience in the financial markets, Dr. Jha brings to Jefferies his strong relationships with Asian central banks, hedge funds and real money accounts, as well as a good track record of forecasting Asian markets and economies.

Mr. Kasakura has more than 24 years of capital market experience. He joined Jefferies from Societe Generale Securities, where he was a senior salesperson covering financial institutions in Japan. He previously held senior sales positions at RBS Securities, Bank of America Securities and other large securities houses.

Mr. Wen has more than 17 years of capital market experience. He was Senior Vice President and Head of the Fixed Income Division for Refco Singapore, where he was responsible for bond sales, execution and trading operations. Prior to that firm, Mr. Wen was in the Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income Department of Commerzbank Singapore. He was responsible for establishing client relationships and trading with Asian central banks and regional financial institutions.

Jefferies, a major global securities and investment banking firm, has served companies and their investors for more than 45 years. Jefferies & Company, Inc. is the principal US operating subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF: www.jefferies.com), and Jefferies International Limited is the principal UK operating subsidiary. Jefferies International Limited, a UK-incorporated company, is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority.

CONTACT:

For further information:
Jefferies & Company, Inc.
Tom Tarrant, 203-708-5989
ttarrant@jefferies.com
or
Jefferies International Ltd
Desiree Maghoo, 44 20 7029 8085
dmaghoo@jefferies.com
or
CJP Communications
Josh Passman, 212-279-3115, x203
jpassman@cjpcom.com