The latest moves, appointments and personnel changes among wealth management and related organisations in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and select international locations.

Nomura Asset Management
Nomura Asset Management, the core company within the investment management division of Japan's Nomura Group, has appointed Douglas Stewart as head of distribution EMEA, based in London. Stewart (main picture) will report to Kenichi Suzuki, senior managing director, head of global business unit.

Stewart will be responsible for leading the firm’s distribution strategy across EMEA and Latin America, driving growth, strengthening client engagement, and overseeing coverage of institutional and intermediary channels.

Most recently, Stewart served as managing director in the global strategy group at Silicon Valley Bank, where he held a senior leadership position in international business strategy and key growth initiatives. Prior to that, he was CEO of BennBridge, leading the firm’s European expansion and the strategic development of its multi-boutique model. Previously he served as CEO and head of EMEA at OppenheimerFunds International. Earlier in his career, Stewart spent 15 years at AllianceBernstein, including a stint as managing director within the EMEA Client Group.

"Douglas brings deep international experience, strong commercial leadership, and a proven ability to scale businesses across complex markets.” Suzuki said. “His appointment reflects our commitment to accelerating growth and delivering exceptional outcomes for clients across EMEA and Latin America."

Farrer & Co
Law firm Farrer & Co has appointed Alex Ruffel (pictured below) as a partner in its private client team. Ruffel a specialist in complex cross-border tax, structuring and succession planning, was previously with Irwin Mitchell, where she also served as a partner.
 

Alex Ruffel

Ruffel has an extensive track record of advising multinational families, trustees and family offices on complex tax issues, the transfer of wealth including establishing and running trusts and other structures. At Farrer & Co, she will be responsible for increasing the strength of the private client team’s comprehensive offering. She has particular experience in acting for clients with links to the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

“We are delighted to welcome Alex to the firm as she brings with her more than 20 years of experience looking after significant global families.” Sarah von Schmidt, private client partner at Farrer & Co, said. “Alex has a strong reputation blending deep technical expertise with a focus on acting as trusted adviser across generations and so is perfectly suited to our approach.”

Equiom Guernsey
Equiom Guernsey has made two senior hires.

Alison Parry (pictured below), executive director, client service, has more than more than 30 years of international experience across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia. She has served in global head of private wealth roles at major financial services firms, including Intertrust Group (now CSC). Parry has been leading Equiom’s private client and family office teams in Guernsey. Recognised for her leadership and contributions to the industry, she has served on numerous boards, contributing her expertise in governance, legal, and financial matters.

Parry has a proven corporate governance ethic and is a recognised expert in international family office wealth structuring, corporate investment vehicles, and business succession planning. She has an exceptional track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering sophisticated fiduciary solutions for ultra-high net worth families and business owners.

Emily Trebert (pictured below), associate director, client services, has significant expertise in multi-jurisdictional wealth structuring, asset protection, and succession planning. With a strong background in advising high net worth individuals and families, Trebert has built a reputation for developing innovative solutions that safeguard wealth across generations. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and deliver tailored fiduciary services makes her a valuable addition to the Equiom team, the firm said in a statement.

"We are delighted to welcome Alison and Emily to the Equiom team. Their combined experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable in supporting our clients and strengthening our Private Wealth, Family Office, and Corporate service offering,” Marie McNeela (pictured below), managing director of Equiom Guernsey, said.

Left to right: Alison Parry, Marie McNeela and Emily Trebert

Aviva Investors
Aviva Investors, a global asset management business, has made two senior hires for its UK wealth team.

Hayley Randall has joined as head of UK advisory distribution. She is responsible for driving growth and leading distribution for the UK IFA channel, developing relationships with strategic partners, and covering key regional accounts. Randall, who is a Chartered Financial Planner, was previously at HSBC Asset Management, where she served in a number of key roles including group relationship manager, and previously head of Wealth and Premier in their Wealth and Private Banking business. Hayley reports to Smera Ashraf, head of Global Wealth – UK.

James Clark has joined the UK IFA team as strategic partners director, with responsibility for the distribution of Aviva Investors’ range of multi-asset funds and model portfolio solutions to national, network and strategic accounts, reporting to Randall. Clark, who has more than 23 years’ advisory experience, has joined from RBC Brewin Dolphin, where he spent two and a half years as head of nationals, networks and international distribution. Prior to that, he held a variety of positions with AXA Wealth and Utmost Pan Europe. 

“Hayley and James bring exceptional client insight and experience that will further help us expand our distribution capabilities in the UK Wealth market,” Ashraf said.