The latest moves, appointments and personnel changes among wealth management and related organisations in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and select international locations.

Collas Crill
Collas Crill has appointed Elena Gogh as group partner in its private client and trusts team in Guernsey.

Gogh (pictured), who is an experienced offshore private client lawyer joining from Bedell Cristin, advises trustees, individuals, financial institutions and family offices in relation to trust, succession planning and regulatory issues.

Her particular experience has involved working with wealthy families with complex multi-jurisdictional asset holding structures and family businesses. Gogh also works closely with families and family offices to develop governance crucial to their structures. In recent years she has established a number of single family offices in Guernsey.

After Gogh qualified as a solicitor in 2001, she spent a number of years working in London law firms, such as Withers and Baker & McKenzie, specialising in private client work.

“Our clients' needs are constantly changing and, consequently, the structures they utilise to manage their wealth and assets are becoming more complex,” partner Christian Hay, said. “Elena brings with her extensive experience in dealing with these complex and often multi-jurisdictional structures for trustees and private clients alike. She is an invaluable and welcome addition to our private client and trusts practice.”

CISI
CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment) has announced that its investment director Robert Hughes-Penney has been elected as the next Sheriff of the City of London, taking office in September 2025.

Hughes-Penney (pictured below), is a trustee of the CISI board of directors, a member of the CISI ethics and integrity committee and chair of the CISI audit and risk committee. He has spent more than three decades in the financial services sector – primarily, as an investment director at Rathbones, managing global multi-asset portfolios, and serving on the board, executive and management committees of the main operating company.

Robert Hughes-Penney
 

The Sheriffs’ modern-day duties include supporting the Lord Mayor in his or her civic duties and serving – both, at home and abroad – as ambassadors for the UK-based financial and professional services industry by promoting the UK as a place in which to do business.

Based at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, the office is an integral part of the City’s support for the rule of law.

“To all those who have extended support and encouragement along the way – from across the Livery, the Court of Aldermen, and the wider City – I offer my heartfelt thanks and with a deep awareness of the heritage and responsibility that comes with this role — the oldest secular office in the country after the Sovereign,” Hughes-Penney said.

“The role of Sheriff is not just ceremonial; it is fundamentally about supporting the Mayoralty in championing the City's global standing and civic mission, and I commit to working with the Lord Mayor, and on a joint civic plan with his elected successor and my fellow Sheriff. We also look forward to including young people in our programme and will uphold and promote the City's global stature both at home and abroad.”

“On behalf of all of us at the CISI, I am delighted to extend our congratulations to Robert, a CISI Chartered Fellow and member of 18 years, on his role as Sheriff of the City of London,” Tracy Vegro OBE, CISI CEO said. “We thank him for his ongoing support and dedication to our global financial services community and profession and we look forward to working with Robert in the year ahead.”

In addition to their duties and responsibilities to assist the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs play a key role in supporting His Majesty’s Judges at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) by promoting the importance of the English rule of law to businesses, schools, diplomats, charities, the City Livery, and leading arts figures.

The Central Criminal Court, where the Sheriffs work and reside during their year, is recognised as the most famous criminal court in the world and is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.

LLB Group
LLB Group has appointed Wolfdieter Schnee to take over as head of the fund services Liechtenstein/Switzerland business area from 1 January 2026. He will succeed Bruno Schranz, who will be retiring at the end of June 2026.

In addition, Schnee will become CEO of the executive management of LLB Fund Services AG, Vaduz, and a member of the board of directors of LLB Swiss Investment AG, Zurich, subject to the approval of the relevant supervisory authorities.

Schnee has been employed at VP Fund Solutions (Liechtenstein) AG since 2016. In his role as a member of the executive management, he was responsible for the Fund Client & Investment Services Departments for the Liechtenstein and Luxembourg regions.

Schnee, who studied in Brussels, Vaduz, Vienna, Boston and Fontainebleau, holds masters degrees in banking and financial management as well as European business law. In addition, he is a CAIA charterholder, has an INSEAD certificate in corporate governance, and is an ILA certified director.

"We are delighted that we have been able to gain Wolfdieter Schnee, an acknowledged expert in investment fund business, for our management team,” Natalie Flatz, head of the International Wealth Management Division of the LLB Group said. “His strategic competence, entrepreneurial flair and strong sales orientation will enable him to continue driving forward our dynamic growth in fund business. His character and commitment to shared values make him an ideal complement, both professionally and personally, to our team."

Flatz also thanked Schranz for being, “largely instrumental in driving forward the LLB Group’s investment fund business and boosting growth."