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Julius Baer Bolsters EAM Business In Dubai

Amanda Cheesley Deputy Editor 4 October 2023

Julius Baer Bolsters EAM Business In Dubai

Swiss private bank Julius Baer (Middle East) this week announced the setting up of a local desk in Dubai and makes senior hires.

Julius Baer has set up a local external asset management (EAM) desk to serve clients in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Marc Haefeli has been appointed to lead the desk which will be strengthened by the appointment of Aakanksha Raizada as relationship manager, the firm said in a statement yesterday. The newly established desk’s proximity to external asset managers and independent financial advisors will enable Julius Baer to develop the local business in the UAE.

Haefeli has been with Julius Baer for the past 12 years and has established ties with EAMs in the Middle East, especially in Dubai during the last six years. He has over two decades of experience in the financial services industry across the Middle East and Switzerland, the firm continued.

Raizada joined the new desk as relationship manager in August from Credit Suisse Dubai, and Pebin Muriyamadom as assistant relationship manager from LGT Dubai. Both will be reporting to Haefeli.

Alexandre Berger, market head of intermediaries for Western Switzerland & Americas at Julius Baer, and responsible for the intermediaries business in Dubai, said: “With the evolving wealth management landscape in the UAE, we see a lot of EAMs setting up, especially in the DIFC.”

“The market is expected to show significant growth in the next few years. I am confident that with Marc’s experience and leadership, along with his newly joined team, we will be able to solidify our position as a wealth manager of choice for this important client group,” Berger continued.

Alireza Valizadeh, CEO, Julius Baer (Middle East), added: “The UAE is a strategic growth market for Julius Baer along with the wider Middle East region. The wealth management industry in the UAE is thriving given the influx of UHNIs and HNIs and we believe this influx will continue as Dubai continues to position itself as one of the fastest, safest, and most connected cities in the world.”

“The setting up of a local EAM desk will help us capitalise on our strong positioning and complement our existing footprint by providing value-added services to all our clients and partners in the region,” Valizadeh said.

 

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