The latest moves and appointments for wealth management roles in the UK, other parts of Europe, the Middle east and select international locations.

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management
Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management UK’s Central Investment Office has promoted Kamal Warraich to head of equity fund research.

According to the firm, equity funds play an important role in CGWM UK’s diversified portfolios and thorough research is crucial, particularly in times of elevated market volatility.

As head of equity fund research, Warraich will head up the CGWM UK equity fund investment process and chair the fund selection committee, which sets the equity fund strategy, meets fund managers and makes adjustments to the approved buy list, the firm said in a statement. 

Warraich, who has been with CGWM UK since the acquisition of Hargreave Hale in 2016, has worked in financial services for over 10 years. He has been an investment analyst for nine years, specialising in UK closed and open-ended funds. He is based at the company’s Llandudno office in North Wales, the firm added.

Welcoming the move, Michel Perera, chief investment officer at CGWM UK said: “He is a valuable asset to CGWM’s equity fund selection process and brings intellectual rigour, insight and razor-sharp analysis to our research function, which is vital in helping our financial planners and investment managers deliver an excellent service to clients.”

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management has investment advisors and professionals in Canada, the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Australia, and has advisors in Canada who are registered in the US.

Chase Buchanan Wealth Management       
Chase Buchanan Wealth Management has appointed Paul Lanigan as head of global sales, reporting to group CEO Lee Eldridge.

The new position and appointment is a big step for the company as it increases its international presence with a growing number of global offices, the firm said.

Bringing a wealth of corporate financial experience, including 22 years at Standard Life, Lanigan will oversee the current eight offices and private wealth managers spanning Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, the USA and Canada, the firm said.

Group CEO, Lee Eldridge said: “As we move forward into the next stage of our corporate development, the head of global sales position was a key hire. His experience from large corporate finance, provides Chase Buchanan incredible balance during our continued expansion plans, allowing us to strategically align the wealth management team across the world.”

With new locations and expansion planned, the firm said that the remainder of 2022 promises to be a reassuring time as Chase Buchanan answers the client demand for trusted advice made simple. Chase Buchanan Wealth Management supports British and foreign nationals living abroad with financial advice.

Forsters 
Forsters, a London real estate and private wealth law firm, has elected Natasha Rees as its new senior partner, starting from September.

The announcement follows the recent news that Forsters is to move to new headquarters at 22 Baker Street in the heart of Marylebone in late 2023, coinciding with the firm’s 25th Anniversary, the firm added.

Natasha Rees joined Forsters from Pinsent Masons in 2001 and became a partner in 2008. Until March this year, Rees was head of the property litigation team. She is widely recognised as a leader in this field – particularly in the area of residential disputes and leasehold enfranchisement. 

Rees is taking over as senior partner from Smita Edwards, who has led the firm through a period of sustained growth and success during her eight-year term of office, the firm said. Edwards, who is one of the founding partners of Forsters, was head of the commercial real estate team from 1998 until 2003. She is one of the UK’s pre-eminent real estate lawyers, who maintains a Band 1 ranking in the latest edition of Chambers UK, the firm added. 

From September, she will return to full-time practice and to her diverse client base, which includes leading real estate investors, funders and developers.

In addition to the new office announcement, Forsters has recently promoted six senior associates to partner and four to counsel. This is the single largest round of promotions that the firm has recorded in its 24-year history. Forsters now has 65 Partners and 420 other members of staff.

Rees, said: “Through her visionary leadership, Smita leaves an outstanding legacy at Forsters and it is great news for our clients that she will continue to practise with us."