Barclays Wealth has announced a slew of new hires this week, the latest as part of its expansion plans in the Americas.

Brian Sears has been hired as managing director and regional manager for Los Angeles. Sears comes on board from Neuberger Berman in New York, where he was most recently global co-head of distribution for alternative investments.

Barclays has also hired investments representatives in New York, Philadelphia, Florida and Georgia.

In New York two teams have signed on. Ron Willis and John-Paul Tomassetti have joined as directors and investment representatives from JP Morgan’s private bank.

René Joliot, Edgar Ramirez and Romel Rodriguez have joined as investment representatives from UBS.

In Miami Tony Esses joins as director and investment representative, focused on the Latin American market. Previously, he worked at HSBC Private Bank for 24 years.

Robert Sperber joins from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney as a director and investment representative in Miami. James Hafele, who is based in New York, joins Sperber's team from MSSB. 

Matthew Burton comes on board as vice president and investment representative in Palm Beach from JP Morgan.

John Nicholas has been hired as a vice president and investment representative in Atlanta from Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. 

Barclays Wealth in the Americas has 14 offices across the US and Latin America.