The Swiss private bank has made a handful of appointments as part of its growth drive in the Channel Islands.

Julius Baer has made five senior hires in Guernsey, including three former Credit Suisse executives.

Craig Allen has been named head of portfolio management, Guernsey. He joins from Credit Suisse Guernsey where he spent five years as head of portfolio management for the UK, Channel Islands and Gibraltar. He also served as the bank's chief investment officer for the Channel Islands and a member of the local executive committee. In his new role, Allen will report to Guernsey branch manager Paul Van Neste.

Jean-Luc Le Tocq, a chartered wealth manager, will also report to Van Neste. He was previously head of relationship management and investment advisory in Guernsey and a member of the Channel Islands executive board for the last 13 years at Credit Suisse.

The third hire from Credit Suisse is Marie-Christine Potter, who spent the last 20 years in relationship management as a director at Credit Suisse Guernsey.

Andrea Sarchet-Luff has been appointed to Julius Baer’s risk, legal and compliance team, where she will have responsibility for governance and oversight. She joins after 10 years with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, where she was worked assistant director and acting deputy director within the banking and insurance division.

Lastly, Iain Stables joins as a director in the credit team, with a focus on Lombard and mortgage lending. He previously worked at the Bank of Butterfield Guernsey as European lending manager.

“I am delighted to welcome such highly experienced individuals to support the continuing growth of the Guernsey team of Julius Baer. Locally focused relationship management delivered through locally based professionals remains key to ensuring a quality private banking service for both local and international clients,” said Van Neste.

Last week, Julius Baer completed its acquisition of an increased stake in Italian wealth and asset management firm Kairos. It acquired an additional 60.1 per cent of the Milan-based company, following its initial purchase of 19.9 per cent in 2013.