The latest moves, appointments and personnel moves in the UK, European, Middle Eastern and select international wealth management jurisdictions. .

FINMA
FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, has announced that Rene W Keller will step down from its board of directors as of 30 June because he wishes to pursue a new career path. Keller has been a member of the board since 1 February 2024. 

The board will have eight members from 1 July, holding a term from 2024 to 2027: 

-- Professor Marlene Amstad (chair); 
-- Martin Suter (vice chair); 
-- Professor Ursula Cassani Bossy; 
-- Professor Aline Darbellay; 
-- Dr Alberto Franceschetti; 
-- Benjamin Gentsch; 
-- Marzio Hug; and 
-- Dr Andreas Schlatter.

The board is the strategic management body of FINMA. 

PIMFA
PIMFA, the UK trade association for wealth management and financial advice and planning, has appointed Stuart Cummins (pictured), chief executive officer of Nedbank Private Wealth to join its board of directors.

Since joining Nedbank Private Wealth, the business has significantly invested in technology, digital client experience and data. Today Cummins has overall responsibility for managing the company’s UK and international wealth operations across all its office locations outside South Africa.

During his career, Cummins has undertaken senior roles at Cazenove Capital, C Hoare & Co, and Barclays Wealth. His is experienced in developing high net worth relationship and advice businesses across wealth management, private banking and corporate banking. He is also a Chartered Wealth Manager, fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

“Building a robust, innovative and flourishing industry is at the heart of all we do as well as continuing to drive impactful change for our firms and clients, and Stuart’s expertise and experience will be invaluable in achieving this goal,” Liz Field, PIMFA’s chief executive said

Burgess Mee
Family law firm Burgess Mee has appointed Alice Rogers as a legal director, with immediate effect. She has joined from Hall Brown Family Law’s London office, where she was a senior associate.

Rogers, who acts for a wide range of professional and high net worth clients, specialises in complex financial remedy cases (often involving assets across multiple jurisdictions) and trust disputes.

Rogers has substantial expertise in drafting and advising clients on complex pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes for non-married couples as well as representing high net worth individuals in Schedule 1 cases and variation proceedings. She also advises on Family Law Act 1996 proceedings and private children matters, often involving international elements.

A member of Resolution, Rogers works closely with a variety of professionals, including wealth managers, accountants, tax specialists, private client advisors, and therapeutic support professionals to ensure a collaborative and strategic approach for her clients.

Rogers, who trained at JMW Solicitors, moving to Hall Brown Family Law in 2016, is an active member of the Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA) and was named as one of the 2024 eprivateclient NextGen Leaders.

“She will be an asset to our team as a future leader in the industry, given her trajectory and recognition thus far,” Antonia Mee, partner and co-founder of Burgess Mee, said.

Ares Management
Alessandro Verdirrame has joined Ares Management as head of Italy for EMEA Wealth Management Solutions.

He will be based in Milan, reporting to Mark Serocold, partner and head of EMEA Wealth Management Solutions, the firm said in a statement. His responsibilities include leading the growth of Ares’ wealth business in Italy, driving engagement with key stakeholders and overseeing local initiatives.

Verdirrame was previously at Goldman Sachs, which he joined in 2014, most recently serving as an executive director in the EMEA Client Solutions Group of Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM). At GSAM, Verdirrame was responsible for managing and developing relationships with third-party wealth clients, including private banks, asset managers, and insurance companies. He was also involved with promoting the firm’s public and private market capabilities, delivering tailored investment solutions and asset allocation advice to clients to build long-term partnerships.

Prior to GSAM, Verdirrame was a member of the Italian sales team at UBS Asset Management. Earlier in his career, he gained experience with Deutsche Bank’s Asset & Wealth Management team.