Coutts, the UK private bank, has hired Donna Burns as a managing director and new head of human resources. She joins Coutts from The Renaissance Group, where she most recently served as a managing director and global head of human resources, based in Moscow.

Burns will be based in London as she oversees human resources across the global RBS Wealth Division, leading a multi-jurisdictional team, as well as providing strategic guidance to the chief executive, board and senior leadership team. She will report to Rory Tapner, chief executive of wealth, and Tony Williams, human resources director for international businesses at RBS.

Coutts said the move is part of a greater strategy to attract more talented professionals from the wealth management industry.

“Private banking and wealth are relationship-driven industries and Donna’s extensive knowledge of human resources and broad industry experience will be instrumental in the attraction and retention of high calibre professionals,” added Tapner.

Burns has previously worked as a managing director in human capital management at Goldman Sachs for nine years, developing the firm’s business in India and establishing a team of 60 HR professionals.

In other recent hires at the firm, earlier this month Coutts appointed Mark Esner as executive director and wealth manager, based in Manchester.