Lombard Odier, one of Switzerland’s oldest private banks, is launching a new wealth management office in Dubai as it seeks to grow its footprint in the important wealth region. 

The new office will cover the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, led by Arnaud Leclercq, head of new markets at Lombard Odier, who is relocating to the UAE from the bank’s headquarters in Geneva.

Historically, the UAE has been a key market for Lombard Odier. The bank has had ties to the region since the 1970s and opened a representative office in Dubai in 2007.

The Swiss bank has assets of $167 billion under management and employs nearly 1,900 people across the world's main financial centres.