At Julius Baer for nearly two decades and in the financial sector for more than 26, the new appointee takes the helm at a bank that says Dubai is "central" to its regional and international strategy.

Julius Baer has appointed one of its long-standing senior figures, Regis Burger, as CEO of Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd, adding to his current role as head of Middle East & Africa.

The Swiss bank said Burger’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

Alireza Valizadeh, the previous incumbent, will leave Julius Baer with immediate effect to pursue other opportunities outside the bank, it said in a statement.

Burger, who has been with Julius Baer for more than 19 years, has held various positions including CEO of Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd and head of business management for “Region Emerging Markets.” In all, he has worked in the financial services industry for almost 26 years, working in centres including Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva, Singapore, and Dubai.

The bank said Dubai is “central” to its regional and global growth strategy. 

“This appointment reflects our continued commitment to the Middle East and our confidence in its growth potential. Dubai is a cornerstone of Julius Baer’s strategy, offering unparalleled access to clients and opportunities,” Rahul Malhotra, head of Region Emerging Markets, said. 

“With Regis leading both our regional strategy and local entity, we are well positioned to capture the Middle East’s momentum and further reinforce our role as one of the leading wealth managers in the market,” Malhotra continued. “We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Alireza Valizadeh for his two decades of dedication in building and strengthening Julius Baer’s presence in Dubai, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”