One of the most recognisable names in private banking has made important appointments in the UK and Asia, this publication can exclusively reveal.

Coutts, the private bank, has made a number of top-level hires across its UK and Asia-Pacific divisions, including the leader for its sports and entertainment business and a key addition to its operations covering Indonesia, this publication can exclusively report.  

Simon Hopes has been appointed as market leader for the bank’s sports and entertainment business, joining from NatWest and RBS Stockbrokers, where he was head of distribution. Hopes will be responsible for the ongoing development and expansion of Coutts’ wealth management and private banking services for high net worth individuals in this space. He will be based in London, and report to Harry Keogh, managing director, London One, which comprises the Sports & Entertainment, Professionals, Executives and Landowners client groups. The previous holder of the post, David Thompson, is now working in a more client-facing role.

In his previous role, Hopes was responsible for distribution within the retail stockbrokers business. Prior to that, he spent 13 years working within RBS and NatWest’s private banking business in various roles. Most recently, he was regional director for RBS and NatWest Private Banking in the Midlands and South West. He started his career on the graduate scheme at HSBC Private Banking, where he spent eight years as a private banking manager.

In another exclusive report, this publication can reveal that Robert Hemphill, executive director, digital solutions, has been appointed. He will be responsible for developing the firm’s private banking and wealth management digital channel proposition, and will report to Joe Norburn, head of digital and front office solutions at Coutts.

Asia

Also exclusively reported by this publication today, Coutts has bolstered its Singapore-based team with the appointment of Watty Buwanawati as executive director, business development for the Indonesia market, with immediate effect.

Based in Singapore, Buwanawati is responsible for business development in Indonesia and she reports to Jacqueline Chua, managing director, market head for South East Asia. With 21 years of experience in Indonesia financial services, she previously headed the private wealth management business for Deutsche in Indonesia, where she built an onshore private banking franchise. Buwanawati has also previously worked at ANZ Panin Bank and American Express Bank in Indonesia.

Back in the UK

In the UK, Coutts has made a number of hires across operations, IT and its digital arms in the regions. Among the appointments, as previously announced, are those of Mark Esner, executive director, wealth management to the Manchester operation.

Another senior appointment in August was that of Vivienne Ng, head of the China Desk within Coutts' International business in the UK. She previously worked at Credit Suisse.  

John Farnsworth was named as executive director, head of derivative platforms in August. He previously worked at Barclays’ wealth and investment arm, and Merrill Lynch.

Donna Burns was named head of HR last month, and she previously worked at The Renaissance Group.

Infrastructure roles at the bank include Paul Dineen, executive director, head of investment governance and operations change, joining from Lloyds Banking Group, where he had held a number of leadership roles.

Another hire is that of James Alexander, managing director and head of operations, UK.  He will work with Martin Rettich, managing director and head of operations, Switzerland. Alexander assumed his new role earlier this month and joins from RBS Group, Markets & International Banking.

Finally, Andrew Nixon, head of Wealth IT UK, joins the bank on 4 September, having previously worked at JP Morgan and Fidelity International, among others. Most recently, he was head of technology for Legal and General Investment Management.