The Current Baron and Lord of Leslie
Stewardship and Continuity of a Historic Scottish Barony
The Much Hon. Giacomo Merello, Baron of Leslie
As the Baron of Leslie, Dr. Merello has also immersed himself in the heraldic and cultural heritage associated with the barony. In his professional capacity he has supported noble and chivalric traditions, assisting qualifying individuals to petition for Honorary Arms with the College of Arms and other heraldic authorities worldwide. Such activities reflect a broader stewardship: the new baron is ensuring that the history of Leslie – its symbols, its stories, and its community role – are not only preserved but actively celebrated. Under his watch, Leslie House stands not as a relic, but as a home once more – a place where visitors might soon walk through restored hallways, gaze upon the crest and buckles of Leslie above the doorway and feel the echo of centuries of Scottish history.
Biography, Roles, and Heraldic Duties
Early life & Education. The present holder of the dignity of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie is Dr Giacomo Merello, Baron of Leslie, an Italian-Antiguan lawyer, diplomat, and cultural advisor based in Singapore. Born in Milan on 9 May 1980 into a distinguished family of entrepreneurs and artists, (his mother is famous Italian singer Marcella Bella) the baron pursued legal studies at Bocconi University obtaining a Master of Science in Law (LLM) and began his professional career in Milan in the Studio Legale Avv. Giovanni Baldini before relocating to Singapore in 2009. His work spans legal consultancy in matters of heraldry, nobility, citizenship-by-investment, and digital assets regulation, serving an international and diverse clientele across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Professional Career. The baron is the founder and executive director of Singapore based licensed corporate services and regulatory consulting firm Marvelux Consulting, founder of CARICOM based law firm Regulegal while also serving as Executive Director of dMTV Global, Avv. Federico Vasoli's international boutique law firm Singapore headquarters. He is also a regular "of counsel" lawyer in the team of renowned Singapore law firm Chung Ting Fai & Co.
Diplomatic and public roles. In 2023, the baron was appointed Special Economic Envoy of Antigua and Barbuda to Singapore, a diplomatic post through which he actively promotes bilateral investment and regulatory cooperation between Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. In recent years, he has also led the Digital Assets Business Promotion Board under the Antigua and Barbuda Official Business Hub, further cementing his role in advancing innovation and economic development.
The baron was invested by HRH Prince Davit Bagrationi of Georgia as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and currently covers for the Royal House of Georgia an inter-Order diplomatic role, helping in maintaining relationships with all major reigning and non-reigning royal houses.
Succession to the barony. On the 5th of November 2024, Dr Merello succeeded to the dignity of Lord of Leslie, and the subsidiary title of Baron of Leslie in the Baronage of Scotland. The baronial arms associated with and arising from the dignity were formally granted by the Court of the Lord Lyon by Warrant dated 30 April 2025.
Cultural and philanthropic engagements. As Baron of Leslie, Dr Merello upholds the cultural and historical legacy of the Barony through historical research, preservation, participation in the traditions of Scottish heraldry - he is a member of the Singapore St. Andrew's Society. He is an advocate for heritage, diplomacy, and environmental stewardship, with a particular interest in ocean conservation—a passion closely tied to his qualifications as a PADI Rescue Diver and supporter of sustainable marine initiatives. The baron is also a keen and passionate expert in Japanese swordmanship which he regularly teaches in Singapore.
The Baronial Family. The baron is married to the Lady Veronika of Leslie, a former fashion model and outstanding graphic artist, who supports the cultural and philanthropic engagements associated with the barony. They have two children, Miss Kassandra of Leslie and the heir apparent, Master Adam, the Younger of Leslie.
Styles and titles. The highest title of the current baron is formally Lord of Leslie, which the baron mostly uses in formal settings, with the subsidiary title being Baron of Leslie, which the baron more regularly uses. In the Baronage of Scotland a Lord is always a Baron, and can use either title interchangeably.
Professional Career. The baron is the founder and executive director of Singapore based licensed corporate services and regulatory consulting firm Marvelux Consulting, founder of CARICOM based law firm Regulegal while also serving as Executive Director of dMTV Global, Avv. Federico Vasoli's international boutique law firm Singapore headquarters. He is also a regular "of counsel" lawyer in the team of renowned Singapore law firm Chung Ting Fai & Co.
Diplomatic and public roles. In 2023, the baron was appointed Special Economic Envoy of Antigua and Barbuda to Singapore, a diplomatic post through which he actively promotes bilateral investment and regulatory cooperation between Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. In recent years, he has also led the Digital Assets Business Promotion Board under the Antigua and Barbuda Official Business Hub, further cementing his role in advancing innovation and economic development.
The baron was invested by HRH Prince Davit Bagrationi of Georgia as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and currently covers for the Royal House of Georgia an inter-Order diplomatic role, helping in maintaining relationships with all major reigning and non-reigning royal houses.
Succession to the barony. On the 5th of November 2024, Dr Merello succeeded to the dignity of Lord of Leslie, and the subsidiary title of Baron of Leslie in the Baronage of Scotland. The baronial arms associated with and arising from the dignity were formally granted by the Court of the Lord Lyon by Warrant dated 30 April 2025.
Cultural and philanthropic engagements. As Baron of Leslie, Dr Merello upholds the cultural and historical legacy of the Barony through historical research, preservation, participation in the traditions of Scottish heraldry - he is a member of the Singapore St. Andrew's Society. He is an advocate for heritage, diplomacy, and environmental stewardship, with a particular interest in ocean conservation—a passion closely tied to his qualifications as a PADI Rescue Diver and supporter of sustainable marine initiatives. The baron is also a keen and passionate expert in Japanese swordmanship which he regularly teaches in Singapore.
The Baronial Family. The baron is married to the Lady Veronika of Leslie, a former fashion model and outstanding graphic artist, who supports the cultural and philanthropic engagements associated with the barony. They have two children, Miss Kassandra of Leslie and the heir apparent, Master Adam, the Younger of Leslie.
Styles and titles. The highest title of the current baron is formally Lord of Leslie, which the baron mostly uses in formal settings, with the subsidiary title being Baron of Leslie, which the baron more regularly uses. In the Baronage of Scotland a Lord is always a Baron, and can use either title interchangeably.
The Merello Tartan
In keeping with the enduring traditions of Scottish nobility, the baron had designed and formally registered in the Scottish Register of Tartans a personal tartan as a symbol of his commitment to heritage, identity, and legacy. Inspired by the historical lineage of the Barony and the colours associated with Leslie House and Fife, the tartan was created to represent both ancestral continuity and modern stewardship. Its registration with the Scottish Register of Tartans ensures that the pattern is preserved as a distinctive emblem of the current baron’s tenure—an expression of feudal responsibility, familial pride, and cultural respect. The Merello Tartan was designed as a personal and commemorative tartan, drawing inspiration from the 1842 Leslie Clan tartan to honour the baron’s Scottish residence at Leslie House in Fife and the barony itself. Its design is rich in symbolic meaning: the bright red squares, composed of 20 threads, and the deeper red, composed of 15 threads, together mark the year of the Baron’s and Lady Veronika’s marriage. Two narrow black lines set against green represent their two children. A single white stripe on blue pays homage to Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland and Russia, the original motherland of Lady Veronika. Collectively, the tartan's palette reflects the colours of the national flags of the entire family’s countries of origin — Italy, Antigua and Barbuda, and Russia — symbolising unity across heritage, faith, and family. The Merello Tartan was designed for Lord Leslie by Brian Wilton, MBE, widely considered as the best living expert on Scottish Tartans.
The Merello Tartan, officially registered in the Scottish Register of Tartans, reflecting the heritage and identity of the current Baron of Leslie.
