People Moves: Crown Dependencies Q1 2024

Q1 2024 Consolidated Summary

In the domain of Crown Dependencies financial appointments, the first quarter of 2024 has witnessed a flurry of activity. This summary highlights the notable leadership changes, strategic repositioning, and expansions within the industry. From high-profile appointments to strategic shifts in business focus, each underscores the evolving state of the financial sector in these pivotal regions.

This summary delves into several key players such as Brooks MacDonald, JTC Group, Coutts Private Bank, and others. Amidst the ever evolving regulatory frameworks, global market dynamics, and emerging client needs, these appointments and strategic decisions pave the way for a future characterised by a balancing act of supplementing and nurturing existing talent in the respective regions and the need to import external expertise, plus the challenges that each location faces in this regard. Throughout this document, readers will gain insights into:

Leadership Dynamics: Explore the changing faces at the helm of prominent financial institutions, understanding the strategic rationale behind key appointments and transitions.

Strategic Repositioning: Uncover the strategic shifts and realignments within the industry, illuminating the evolving focus areas and business strategies adopted by key players.

Market Implications: Gain a deeper understanding of the broader market implications stemming from these appointments and strategic decisions, deciphering their potential impact on clients, competitors, and the overall financial ecosystem.

Our consolidated summary of the past 3 months across the Crown Dependencies should serve to provide an overall barometer of the health of regions and the underlying challenges being faced across those geographies in the sector.

Summary

Brooks MacDonald

Mark O’Conner has been appointed as Managing Director of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. This follows a streamlining of the distribution business; direct to Private Clients and via IFA channels removing its international and geographical split and as a result Richard Hughes stepped down as International CEO.

JTC Group

The fiduciary, corporate and fund services provider announced the appointment of Richard Hughes from Brooks MacDonald as Group Head of its Commercial Office. Hughes was previously International Chief Executive at Brooks MacDonald having originally joined the business as Head of International Business development in 2013. This follows several leadership role changes at the group including Kenny Rae assuming the role of Managing Director Jersey taking over from Paul Weir who moved to a new strategic role internally into JTC’s Risk & Compliance team.

Coutts Private Bank

Coutts Crown Dependencies announced the appointment of Dennis Howard to lead its Crown Dependencies business. Howard relocates to Jersey in the newly created role. Howard had held leadership roles across the bank on International and Domestic desks focusing on UHNW Non-Resident and Res Non-Dom clients, notably, he became an Executive Director at just thirty-two and has been named by PAM 40 under 40 in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

HSBC

Anthony Hingley was announced as the replacement of Kevin Herbert following his retirement as Head of Global Private Banking in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Hingley joined HSBC in 1999 working across HSBC’s global private banking business across the UK, Geneva, Dubai, Qatar, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Kevin Herbert retired after 30 years of contribution to HSBC.

Isle of Man Government

Appointed Cecilia Albertyn as its first business representative in South Africa building wider relationships between the two jurisdictions.

Kleinwort Hambros

Appointed Christophe Huchet as CEO of SG Kleinwort Hambros (Channel Islands), having held several senior appointments within the parent group Société Générale.

Quilter Cheviot International

Hired three financial planners to grow its Jersey office Gillian Schweppe and Matthew Fielding join from SG Kleinwort Hambros and David Lockhart from HSBC.

UBS

Appointed Victoria Hagmann as Head of Wealth Management UK, Jersey, and Guernsey. After joining UBS in 2004 Hagmann moved to the role having held a series of strategic management roles across the business most recently Head of Europe International for HNW and private clients. Based in London Hagmann takes over the role from Eva Lindholm and will oversee the region’s contribution to the staggering target of $5 trillion in invested assets of which UBS expects a substantial portion to be contributed via the Channel Islands.

Fairway Group

Appoints Caroline Brown as Client Director within its Private Client team in Jersey. Brown was notably a Trust Director at EFG for 8 years and prior to those 18 years with Coutts & Co as a Trust Manager.

 IQ-EQ

Tonia Leigh-Morgan was appointed Head of Private Wealth for IQ-EQ Guernsey in February having been with the group for 20 years, most recently as Group Legal Counsel before moving into the client service business in 2018 this sits as part of a strategic expansion of IQ-EQ’s private wealth business on the island.

PWC

Promoted Tax Directors Stephen Lazarevich and Stuart Macklin in Jersey. Lazarevich specialises in fund-related tax matters focusing on UK tax reporting. Macklin specialises in domestic and multi-jurisdictional projects relating to tax developments in particular relating to UK real estate holding vehicles.

Stonehage Fleming

Announced the appointment of Chris Cameron as Trustee Director in the Jersey Family Office Division of the Global Multi-Family Office. Cameron joins from Crestbridge Family Office Services where he was a Client Services Director. Before this he spent over 15 years with HSBC Private Bank as a Senior Trust Manager.

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management

The independent Wealth Management firm appointed Natalie Brown as Head of Portfolio Management in its Jersey offices. Brown has been with the business for 16 years having joined in 2008 as an investment administrator.

Suntera Global 

Announced several appointments within its Jersey headquarters during the quarter notably Katheryn Wilkinson as Managing Director following her joining the business in 2023 from the Jersey Financial Services Commission having overseen the successful implementation of the islands new registry system.

Additionally, Samantha Godwin was appointed as Client Services Director in its Jersey office as part of an expansion of its Private Wealth team. A member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Godwin has 30 years of experience in the finance industry she joins from praxis IFM.

Lloyds Bank International

Announced the appointment of Julie Ronaldson as the Island Director of Guernsey this is an expansion of her prior role as Head of Commercial Banking where she will function as the ‘face of the bank’ on the island.

Ocorian 

Appointed Ken Wrigley as Head of Private Clients in the Guernsey offices as part of a strategic expansion of the private wealth business. Wrigley assumes the position following 20 years of contribution to the business and a recent consolidation of fund services, regulatory and compliance staff under one roof on the island.

Highvern

The global private wealth, corporate and fund administration services provider appointed Simon Smith as Associate Director in its Guernsey office. Smith joined from Zedra Group where he had been a Senior Trust Manager for 8 years.

Lancaster Guernsey

The privately owned independent trust company announced the appointment of Julie Coutu as Head of Client Relationships in Guernsey. Coutu joined from IQ-EQ where she was a director. With over 30 years of experience, the role will focus on client management along with supporting the strategic growth of the business focusing on UK, European and Middle Eastern client base expansion.

Carey Olsen

The offshore law firm announced the appointment of Tristan Maultby as a Partner in the firm’s banking and finance practice. Maultby is widely regarded as a leading lawyer in the field. He joins the Jersey office having recently departed Walkers where he was a Group partner. He returns to CO after 5 years away.

Signia Summary and Key Insights 

There exists a significant necessity to foster and cultivate existing professional talent in their respective localities.

Relocating external expertise poses substantial challenges and is a growing concern across all regions. Identifying and engaging these professionals presents key challenges for most businesses.

Despite the persistent pressures of relocation, the broader adoption of remote work continues to offer professionals an attractive alternative to time-consuming commutes, fostering more efficient working practices for senior staff.

Strategic success for businesses hinges significantly on proper planning regarding staff, long-term succession, and consideration of recruitment time frames. This approach has enabled both small and large entities to better support their strategic objectives.

Major concerns in relocation encompass cost, schooling, and duration, including remote onboarding and the integration of modern technology to provide flexibility for successful professional onboarding.