Schroders
William Wells, director and head of intermediary sales in the Middle East, is to leave Schroders after more than 24 years, a spokesperson has confirmed.
Details of Wells’ departure are thin on the ground, but it is understood that he will be taking a break before moving on to the next stage in his career. The spokesperson said further details will be available in the summer.
Wells joined the investment manager in 1994 in distribution, before becoming head of intermediary sales, Middle East, in March 2004. Five years later he was appointed director, Middle East, and senior executive office, the latter role he held until September 2016.
Intrinsic
Jenny Granner has been appointed operations director of Intrinsic, reporting to chief executive Andy Thompson. She is responsible for operations delivery, compliance systems and adviser oversight.
Granner is a founding member of Intrinsic, having joined the business in 2005. During her time with the company she has held number of senior positions. Before joining the adviser network, she worked at Allied Dunbar and Zurich Financial Services.
She replaces Steve Burke who has worked at Intrinsic since 2015. At the end of July, he will become special adviser reporting to Thompson, focusing on adviser technology.
Old Mutual Wealth acquired Intrinsic in 2014. As part of the group’s managed separation and OMW’s subsequent rebrand to Quilter, Intrinsic will be renamed Quilter Financial Planning at some point over the next two years.
RBC Wealth Management
Fiona Lucas has been named managing director, relationship management at RBC Wealth Management, part of the Royal Bank of Canada.
In the newly-created role, Lucas will be responsible for driving the overall performance of client teams within the sales and relationship management division and expanding the firm’s network of relationships with the advisory community.
Based in London, she will report to Ross Jennings, head of sales & relationship management, RBC Wealth Management – International.
Lucas brings over 20 years’ experience in the private banking and wealth management industries, most recently as director, private banking at Credit Suisse. Prior to that, she worked for Barclays Wealth and Lloyds TSB, in London and Hong Kong.
Praemium
The chief executive of Australian platform Praemium, Michael Ohanessian, has been appointed to the company’s board as managing director.
Ohanessian returned to the company in May 2017 after the board, led by chairman Greg Camm, ousted him in the February. Backed by shareholders, Ohanessian’s return saw Camm and the board given their marching orders.
Thesis Asset Management
Thesis has hired Tim Harman as investment manager, responsible for new and existing client relationships.
He brings with him more than 15 years’ experience within financial services and was previously head of Canadian equities in Europe for the Royal Bank of Canada.
Neptune Investment Management
Neptune has appointed Theodora Zemek to the newly-created role of head of fixed income strategy.
She will lead Neptune’s fixed income strategy and research globally, reporting to chief executive Robin Geffen and working closely with James Dowey, Neptune’s chief economist and chief investment officer.
Zemek’s past experience includes senior positions in fund management over a 30-year career. She was previously global head of fixed income at Axa Investment Managers, head of fixed income at New Star Investment Management, and chief investment officer and global head of fixed income at M&G Investment Management.
Stephenson Harwood
Law firm Stephenson Harwood has strengthened its global private wealth practice with the arrival of partner Kevin Lee, who joins the firm in Hong Kong.
Lee’s wide ranging practice covers; private wealth advisory, trusts, tax, philanthropy, corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, general business law, private equity and cross border transactions.
He represents high net worth clients and advises major corporations from around the world. He joins Stephenson Harwood from Zhong Lun Law Firm, where he was co-head of the global private client practice.
