The latest moves and appointments for wealth management roles in the UK, and other parts of Europe, the Middle East and select international locations.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a global asset manager, has appointed three new investment professionals to join its London-based investment teams,

Ciara Fitzgerald has joined the firm as an investment grade credit portfolio manager in the investment grade credit portfolio management team, reporting to senior portfolio manager, Chris Hult. Fitzgerald brings significant experience from roles at ANZ and Deutsche Bank, where she worked across debt capital markets and syndicate functions, providing origination coverage for European institutions and executing syndicate transactions for global borrowers. "Her deep expertise in credit markets and syndication will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our investment grade capabilities for our clients," Hult said.

Natasha Ebtehadj, who has been appointed global equities portfolio manager, has returned Columbia Threadneedle from Artemis, where she served in the same role. Ebtehadj previously spent 15 years at the Columbia Threadneedle, most recently in the global equities team, and has also worked in multi-asset and Asian equities. Neil Robson, head of global equities, EMEA at Columbia Threadneedle Investments said. "Her deep knowledge of our investment platform and her broad experience across both equities and multi asset will be invaluable to the team and our clients," Neil Robson, head of global equities, EMEA at Columbia Threadneedle Investments said.

Steve Nelson has joined the fixed income client portfolio management (CPM) team in London. In particular, he will be covering investment grade credit strategies. Nelson has 15 years’ experience from Janus Henderson, where he served in a variety of CPM roles covering a wide range of fixed income products, including multi-sector credit, asset-backed securities and loans. "His breadth of experience across fixed income markets and his strong client portfolio management background make him an excellent addition and we are excited to begin working with him,” Gary Smith, head of fixed income client portfolio manager team in the EMEA fixed income, said.

Fidelity International
Fidelity International, a global asset manager and retirement savings business, has appointed Chris Robinson as investment director, based in London.

Specifically covering the UK wholesale market, Robinson will work across Fidelity’s multi asset range, including model portfolio services (MPS), retail funds and customised solutions. He will be collaborating with portfolio management and distribution teams, engaging with clients to share insight on the team’s investment views and capabilities.

Robinson has strong investment expertise and credentials, as well as an understanding of the UK IFA landscape. With over a decade of experience, most recently at Premier Miton Investors and Tatton Investment Management, he has gained extensive knowledge of the UK advisor market, including the regulatory, technology and business challenges facing advisors and their clients.

“Chris’s knowledge of the UK IFA market, extensive experience across multi asset strategies and MPS, and strong client focus make him a valuable addition to the team,” Dennis Pellerito, head of wholesale, Fidelity International, said. “The advised market in the UK, spanning MPS, multi asset and custom solutions, remains a key priority for Fidelity. Alongside Graham Folley, head of and intermediary solutions sales, and the multi asset investment team, Chris will play a pivotal role in ensuring we provide the right solutions for advisors and their end clients.”

Charles Russell Speechlys
International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys has appointed Justine Howard (pictured) as general counsel (GC). She has joined from Pinsent Masons where she was the deputy GC and money laundering reporting officer.

With more than two decades of experience in senior legal roles, Howard has a “deep understanding” of law firm strategy and operations, aligning governance and compliance frameworks with strategic business goals to deliver the desired outcomes for long term, sustainable growth, the firm said in a statement. Alongside this, she has a particular interest in AI ethics and governance, and the role these play in enabling organisations to innovate responsibly.

Howard will be responsible for the firm’s growth, governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. She will be work closely with the senior leadership team and partners across the firm to align legal and business objectives to support safe and sustainable growth.

Outside of her daily work, Howard has a keen interest in responsible business initiatives, women in leadership and workplace wellbeing.

“Justine brings with her a combination of commercial awareness, regulatory expertise and people focused leadership,” Lesley O’Leary, chief operating officer, said. “We are a rapidly growing and increasingly complex business, and Justine’s track record of building frameworks to mitigate risk, and ensure compliance, whilst simultaneously driving growth will be instrumental in helping us tackle emerging regulatory and risk challenges in the months and years to come as we strengthen our international reach.”