BNY Mellon, the US investments company which has embarked on a global recruitment drive at its wealth business, announced a significant move in the EMEA region yesterday, saying that Giambattista Atzeni has been appointed to a newly created role as senior director for business development with BNY Mellon Wealth Management.

Atzeni most recently served as a senior relationship manager for the company’s corporate trust business in the Middle East and Africa region. As of October 1, he reports to managing director Douglas Schaenen and continues to be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, BNY Mellon said said in a statement.

The firm said his appointment is “a first in the region” for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. The wealth manager has already announced it intends to expand its sales force by 50 per cent by the end of 2014.

As senior director serving MEA and Turkey, Atzeni is responsible for managing client relationships, business development and strategy in one of the world’s fastest-growing wealth markets, it said.

“BNY Mellon Wealth Management continues to broaden and strengthen its reach both in the US and around the globe,” Schaenen said. “As Giamba assumes his new role, we are not only focusing on one of the world’s wealthiest per-capita regions, but are continuing to expand BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s international on-the-ground presence, complementing our teams in New York, London, Hong Kong, Toronto and the Cayman Islands,” he said.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon in 2006, Atzeni lived in Dublin, Ireland, where he worked in the investment funds and capital market industry at the Irish Stock Exchange and at BISYS Fund Services.

Atzeni is chairman of the Steering Committee of the Gulf Bond & Sukuk Association (GBSA) and is a regular speaker at Middle East conferences and industry events.