Coutts, the UK-headquartered private banking group, has appointed Amir Sadr as head of the United Arab Emirates market and private office in the Middle East, effectively immediately.

Sadr will develop the bank’s ultra high net worth service in the Middle East, described by Coutts as a “key area of focus in the business’s current expansion drive”. Sadr reports to Alex Classen, chief executive of Coutts International and Duncan MacIntyre, head of the bank’s private office. He will be based in Dubai.

He previously worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, serving for the last 12 years. At the US banking giant, Sadr created and led its institutional client group and the family office group.

“Coutts has ambitious plans for our Private Office as we look to deliver a consistently excellent service to our clients and expand our offering internationally,” MacIntyre said.

Among other senior appointments, Coutts, recently appointed Ian Ewart as head of products, services and marketing with immediate effect, adding to his existing marketing role at the firm. Ewart replaces Byron Coombs, the previous head of products and services, following his decision to retire from full-time management.

Coutts, part of Royal Bank of Scotland, has recently reinvigorated its brand as part of a series of moves. The bank recently discussed the work of its private office with WealthBriefing in a recent interview. To read that article, click here.