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

JTC
JTC, a global professional services business and provider of employer solutions, has appointed Bernadette May (pictured) as associate director within its Employer Solutions business, based on the Isle of Man.

May’s appointment marks an important milestone for JTC; she is the first member of the Employer Solutions team located on the island, supporting the division’s commitment to expansion in the region.

May has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector, with a background in providing pension administration and trustee services to domestic and international pension schemes. She has held senior positions at Isle of Man-based pension trustee and administration companies, as well as other prominent financial services organisations. May is also a professional member of The Pensions Management Institute.

May’s remit will be to lead the establishment and development of JTC’s Employer Solutions presence on the island. This will involve responsibility for shaping the strategic and operational framework of the business, supporting and securing the application for an Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (IOM FSA) licence, and driving sustainable growth through business development and market engagement, while ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality trustee and administration services to both new and existing clients.

“We are delighted to welcome Bernadette as the first member of our Employer Solutions team on the Isle of Man,” Susan King, senior director, said. “This strategic appointment represents a significant step in expanding our global footprint and reinforces our commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality employer solutions to our clients worldwide. Bernadette’s depth of experience and expertise will be instrumental in supporting our growth and enhancing the value we provide to our clients.”

SimCorp
SimCorp, a provider of integrated investment management solutions, has appointed Debbie Townley (pictured below) as chief people officer, effective 1 March. Based in London, she will report to Peter Sanderson CEO.

Debbie Townley

She will succeed Marlene Nyholm Voss, who has recently been promoted to managing director of People & Culture at Deutsche Börse Group.

Townley, who has more than 18 years of experience across Europe and the US, has served in senior HR roles that span investment management and financial services. Her experience includes global leadership positions at BlackRock, Brooks Macdonald and at GAM Investments, where she served as chief people officer. Townley has a BA (Honours) in politics, philosophy and economics from Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, and will be based in London.

Sanderson said: “Her deep experience in global HR leadership, combined with her track record driving people-first transformation, will be invaluable as we continue strengthening our culture and delivering on our ambition to be the first choice for global investment management solutions.”

SimCorp is a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse Group. As of 2024, SimCorp includes Axioma, a provider of risk management and portfolio optimisation solutions for the global buy side.

PIMFA
PIMFA, the UK wealth management trade association, said its chairman, Lord Deben – aka John Selwyn Gummer – will be stepping down after nine years in the role. He will depart on 1 March and a new chair will be announced in due course.

A former UK government minister and Conservative Party chairman in the time of the Margaret Thatcher administration in the 1980s, Lord Deben led the organisation following a merger of the industry groups WMA and APFA.

“On behalf of the board, our members, and the entire organisation, I would like to thank Lord Deben for his outstanding commitment and service over the past eight years. His insight, integrity, and unwavering support for both the profession and PIMFA have been instrumental in helping us deliver on our purpose. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and expertise he has given, and for the strong foundations he leaves behind,” Liz Field, PIMFA’s chief executive, said in a statement.

Lord Deben added: “I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that the association is well positioned to continue supporting members in delivering trusted, high-quality advice and personal investment services. PIMFA is crucially important in ensuring that financial planners, advisors and investment managers are able effectively to play their vital part in the British financial industry.”