The UK-listed bank has made a major hire for its MENA business.

Barclays has appointed Bjorn Holderbeke as Middle East and North Africa head of investments for its private bank.

Over the past 15 years, Holderbeke has held a range of senior positions across regional and global financial institutions; these include head of investment counseling at ABN AMRO Private Bank, head of investment counseling for the Middle East team at Emirates NBD Private Bank, and investment advisor at Citi Private Bank. He holds a BA in Economics and Entrepreneurial Leadership from Tufts University.

Based in Dubai, Holderbeke will be responsible for product and platform development and will liaise with subject matter experts to assists in developing and delivering bespoke investment content to clients across the MENA region, the UK-listed bank said in a statement last week. 

“In line with the overall Barclays International strategy, Bjorn’s appointment is part of our continued investment in Private Bank & Overseas Services. This programme of key hires will deliver future growth for the business and enable our clients to access the bespoke products and solutions that Barclays can provide,” Karen Frank, chief executive, Private Banking & Overseas, Barclays, said. 

As previously reported by this publication, Barclays intends to recruit 100 new staff to its private bank in a push to win more business from wealthy clients. The hires will comprise a mix of relationship managers and the administrative and risk management staff needed to support them. Barclays will look to bolster staff in its private banking hubs in London, Dublin, Geneva, Monaco, India, Dubai, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, it has told this news service (see more here).