The Barclays operation in Switzerland has recruited from a rival firm to name a general manager.

Barclays Wealth and Investment Management has appointed James Buchanan-Michaelson as general manager of Barclays Bank (Suisse).

Buchanan-Michaelson will be responsible for leading the private banking business of Barclays in Switzerland. He He will report to Francesco Grosoli, head of wealth management, Europe.

Buchanan-Michaelson, who has about 20 years of experience, joins from Coutts in Geneva, where he was managing director and member of its general management committee, the report added. (The Coutts business in Geneva, along with other non-UK wealth businesses of Royal Bank of Scotland, was sold last week to Geneva-headquartered Union Bancaire Privee.)

The bank's wealth and investment management segment has also announced James Persse as head of private banking for Geneva and deputy general mnanager. Persse joined Barclays in 1995 and has worked with the ultra high net worth team to deliver wealth solutions to its clients globally. In his new role, he will report to Buchanan-Michaelson.