The new senior hire, who has more than two decades of experience in private banking across the UAE and Singapore, has "strategic insight" and "deep understanding" of the global wealth management landscape.

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has appointed Antony Avinash Louis (pictured) as market head for the Middle East, starting this week.

He is based in Dubai and functionally reports to Mohamed Abdellatif, co-head of Middle East and Africa (MEA) with a local reporting line to Mohamed Shoukry, CEO UBP Middle East, the firm said in a statement.

With over two decades of experience in private banking across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore, he is an expert in managing the affairs of ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) and driving growth in key markets, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the non-resident Indian (NRI) segment. (The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.)

Previously, Avinash Louis was team leader of global NRIs and international clients at Santander Private Banking. Before that, he was managing director, senior advisor at Swiss private bank Julius Baer for over a decade, where he spearheaded efforts to expand the firm’s presence and service offering to high net worth clients. His career also includes tenures at Société Générale and DBS Bank, where he played a key role in developing and expanding the private banking businesses.

“His strategic insight and deep understanding of the global wealth management landscape make him a trusted advisor to our discerning clientele. Antony’s experience in team management and business development will be instrumental as UBP continues to strengthen its position in the region and on the NRI segment,” Abdellatif said.

Avinash Louis' appointment comes at a time when a number of wealth managers are setting up shop in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Rothschild & Co has just opened a new wealth management office in Dubai, serving ultra-high net worth families, entrepreneurs, charities and foundations.