Bessemer Trust has appointed George Kern as head of the firm’s Delaware office, in Wilmington.  Previously, he was principal and senior trust officer/associate fiduciary counsel for Delaware. He reports to Stephen Watson, a managing director and northeast region head.

Before joining Bessemer in 2006, Mr Kern served as fiduciary manager and vice president with JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware. Previously, he was a practicing trusts and estates attorney in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Mr Kern is taking over from Deborah Chiumento, who opened the Delaware office in 2005 and helped build its client base. She will now be based in Woodbridge, New Jersey and is charged with growing Bessemer's business in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Ms Chiumento is a managing director and business development officer.

Founded in 1907, New York headquartered Bessemer Trust is a privately-owned wealth management and investment advisory firm overseeing more than $55 billion in assets.