The private banking group is putting more detail on its UK regional expansion programme.

Julius Baer International, which is building out a regional UK presence as previously reported, is opening offices in Leeds, Manchester and Scotland, making a number of senior hires, this publication can exclusively report. Several new managers previously worked at the wealth arm of Barclays. 

New joiners include relationship managers and wealth planners as well as a number of support staff, the Zurich-listed banking group said.

The bank’s new premises will be opening in Leeds and Manchester this year and in Scotland, early In 2018. The team covering the North East will be based in the Platform building located in the centre of Leeds; for the North West, office space has been confirmed at Booths Park in Knutsford, Manchester. The office location in Scotland is to be confirmed but will provide Julius Baer with a gateway to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"At the moment, we are taking a 'measured' strategy and not trying to extend ourselves too far and too fast," David Durlacher, chief executive of Julius Baer International UK, told this news service. "It is certainly difficult recruiting the right people, it is important to get it right."

With three-quarters of UK wealth held outside the Southeast of the UK, it makes sense for the bank to push into the regions and extend its coverage, he said. The bank expects to hire about 30 people in the various locations. "We are making good progress," Durlacher added. 

The hires
Martin Cuthbert joins as a team head and will be responsible for the team covering the North East. Cuthbert joins from Barclays Wealth, where as regional director he established the Barclays Wealth North East franchise. Gordon Scott joins as head of the teams covering the North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland and will be based in in Scotland. He joins from Barclays where he was regional head, before that he held a similar role at Kleinwort Benson.

James Bailey, the senior relationship manager in the Manchester office, joins from Barclays Wealth where he was responsible for key clients across the North West, specialising in ultra-high net worth individuals. Glenn Branney joins as regional head of wealth planning, reporting to UK and Ireland head of wealth planning, Alan Hooks. He is a chartered financial planner with over 17 years’ advisory experience, most recently at Barclays Wealth.

Jonathan Dobbin, in Northern Ireland, joins as a senior relationship manager from Barclays Wealth where he built up extensive experience looking after key clients specializing in HNW individuals.

Mark Embley, with over 25 years’ experience, joined as a RM in the Midlands region, and in the last ten years advised key clients and family offices on their wealth requirements at Barclays Wealth.

Charlie Hague, a relationship manager, has 17 years’ experience advising HNW families from Yorkshire and London on behalf of Barclays and Kleinwort Benson. Andrew Miller joins as a senior RM bringing over 25 years of experience from Barclays Wealth. Miller will be covering the North East region with a particular focus on Newcastle and the surrounding area.

Simon Patterson, part of the bank’s North East team and is responsible for covering Newcastle and the surrounding area. Patterson joins from Barclays Wealth where he was responsible for advising families, trusts and charities in the region.

Two existing RMs based in London, Jonathan Holland and Robert Websdale, will relocate to Manchester to better support their clients from their new, local office.