The latest moves and appointments in wealth management in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East and other select locations.

Close Brothers Asset Management
Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) has appointed Francesca Bartholdi as investment manager, based in the firm’s London Mayfair office.

Bartholdi, who has nearly a decade’s experience in wealth and investment management, has been hired to bolster the CBAM’s bespoke offering, the firm said in a statement.

She specialises in managing bespoke portfolios on behalf of private clients, charities, pension funds and trusts, as well as providing investment services for professional advisers and their clients.

Prior to joining CBAM, Bartholdi spent nine years at Investec Wealth & Investment. She is also a member of The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

“Francesca brings exuberance and a wealth of knowledge to our London investment team, and we...are confident that she will make a huge contribution to our bespoke offering and growing team,” Nathanael Pinder, chief commercial officer at CBAM, said.

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management
Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management (SMDAM) has appointed Alex Barry as the head of distribution, UK and Ireland.

Previously, Barry was head of UK wholesale at Franklin Templeton; he joined in 2020 when they acquired his previous employer Legg Mason. Prior to joining Legg Mason, he spent 19 years at JP Morgan Asset Management where he was a managing director and held a number of senior positions in London and New York. Barry began his career in the industry at Fidelity International. He holds a bachelor of social sciences degree from the University of Birmingham.

“He is highly respected and well connected in the industry and we feel his hiring is another significant step for us in growing SMDAM’s profile and footprint in the European marketplace,” Richard Haxe, managing director, sales and marketing, said.

Charles Russell Speechlys
Charles Russell Speechlys, the law firm, has welcomed Amira Shaker-Bortman as a partner within its private client team.

Shaker-Bortman, who has joined from McDermott Will & Emery, has more than 15 years’ experience of acting for ultra-high net worth individuals, family offices and respective investment holding companies on corporate transactional and advisory matters. Her main area is advising on complex, cross-border investment structuring and wealth management. She also acts for clients on the acquisition of high-value assets and financial instruments in Europe, the US and the Middle East.

Most of Shaker-Bortman’s clients are based in the Middle East where she acts for ruling family PEPs (politically exposed persons) and their corporate structures. At Charles Russell Speechlys, she will be instrumental in expanding the firm’s international private client offering in the Middle East and beyond.

“While Amira’s arrival is a boost to our London team, where she will be based, given the growing demand for locally-based legal advice in the Middle East, her ability to assist our teams there will be particularly valuable,” Piers Master, partner and head of private wealth, said.

Shaker-Bortman’s appointment coincides with the arrival of Philip Withey, banking partner, who has joined the firm’s Cheltenham office. Withey’s appointment also closely follows the arrival of Jeremy Bell, senior consultant, in the financial services regulation and funds group.

Lubbock Fine
Lubbock Fine, chartered accountants and business advisors, has promoted private client tax specialist David Portman to partner.

Portman’s career spans over 16 years of providing tailored tax solutions to high net worth individuals, including sports players, entertainers and tech entrepreneurs. He joined Lubbock Fine in 2016 from a mid-tier accountancy firm in London. He has extensive experience of advising on UK tax matters for non-domiciled individuals, including the transition to the UK’s new Foreign Income and Gains system from 2025. He also specialises in providing bespoke financial guidance to professional athletes. 

The firm was founded in 1929; it is headquartered in the City of London and has 150 staff. It is a founding member of the Russell Bedford global accounting network, with 370 offices in 110 countries.