Swiss private bank Clariden Leu has bolstered its commitment to one of Asia's fastest growing regions with the establishment of a dedicated Indian subcontinent and Asian non resident indians team.

Taking the lead is Varun Chugh, who has been named head of the Indian subcontinent and NRI Asia. Chugh is a veteran private banker with over 15 years of wealth management experience behind him. He previously held senior executive roles at HSBC Private Bank and, prior to that, was part of the ABN AMRO's private banking operations in India. He reports globally to Niels Zilkens, the global head of Indian subcontinent and NRI based in Zurich and locally to Yee Chin Lit, the Southeast Asia head.

Also joining the firm is Ravi Ramakrishnan, who serves as senior relationship manager responsible for client acquisition and management. Prior to Clariden Leu, he worked for the likes of HSBC Private Bank, RBC, and Saudi British Bank.

Stepping in as relationship manager for the new team is Sanith Jayaprakash, who brings more than 14 years of cash management and corporate wealth management experience to the position. He was also part of HSBC prior to this appointment and had previously worked for Standard Chartered Bank.

Gaurav Shah and Saumil Jayant Sheth complete the new regional team as account manager and investment advisor, respectively. Shah has held private banking and wealth management roles at HSBC, Citi Wealth Management, and ABN AMRO in India and the Middle East, while Sheth brings investment advisory and portfolio consulting to the role, having worked for HSBC, Citi, and ABN AMRO.

"The appointments demonstrate our commitment to the Indian subcontinent and NRI markets. With the setting up of this team, Clariden Leu has now the global reach to deliver wealth management solutions to its clients from this fast growing segment," Zilkens commented in a statement.

The 2010 Asia Wealth Report by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch predicts that India, along with China, will lead the region with economic expansion and high net worth individual growth over the next few years, with the likelihood of outpacing more developed economies.

Clariden Leu provides financial services support to wealthy clients worldwide. In Asia, it is headquartered in Singapore, where it is licensed as an offshore bank and an exempt financial advisor by the MAS.