SG Kleinwort Hambros, the private banking and wealth management arm of European bank Société Générale in the UK, makes senior hire.

SG Kleinwort Hambros has appointed Gene Salerno as its new chief investment officer (CIO), starting this week. 

As CIO based in London, Salerno will drive SG Kleinwort Hambros’ investment strategy, implementation, and performance for its clients, the firm said in a statement. He brings over 20 years’ experience of cross-asset expertise and innovation from previous roles investing in public and private markets.

In 2016, Salerno headed the investment strategy for SG Kleinwort Hambros, and since 2020 he has been chief transformation officer, responsible for pioneering a digital interactive tool for exploring investment solutions with clients.

Prior to joining Kleinwort Benson as head of asset allocation and equities in 2011, Salerno led investment management for a London-based family office, managing investment portfolios and supporting client activities across direct private equity and real estate, the firm continued.

Reporting to Delyth Richards, Salerno will chair the SG Kleinwort Hambros Investment Committee, replacing Fahad Kamal, who has left to pursue other opportunities, after more than 11 years at the private bank. Kamal was made CIO in 2020, replacing Choukeir, who became CEO.  

Salerno will also become a member of Société Générale Private Bank Global Investment Committee working alongside Clementine Galles, chief economist and strategist at SG Private Banking, the firm continued. 

“Gene’s experience in markets and investment strategy, as well as his leadership in a number of strategic initiatives, will enable him to drive a robust investment process to deliver for our clients,” Mouhammed Choukeir, CEO of SG Kleinwort Hambros, said. 

Kleinwort Hambros, which was created in 2016 following the merger of Kleinwort Benson and Société Générale Private Banking Hambros, has assets under management of £12.51 billion ($15.5 billion). It has offices in London, Cambridge, Newbury, Leeds, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Jersey and Gibraltar.