The latest moves and appointments in wealth management in the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East and other select locations.

Lombard Odier Investment Managers
Lombard Odier Investment Managers has appointed Dr Marc Palahí as chief nature officer. He is based in London.

Dr Palahí (pictured) is responsible for developing the nature strategy within holistiQ’s sustainable investment platform. As well as enhancing the platform’s nature-focused investment offering, he will integrate nature centrally across holistiQ’s sustainability research activities, which provide intelligence and connectivity across all LOIM’s core businesses.

In addition to his role within holistiQ, Dr Palahí will continue (on secondment) to lead the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, established by His Majesty The King (formerly the Prince of Wales).

Dr Palahí is an internationally recognised expert on forests, circular bioeconomy and global change with over two decades of experience in leading scientific initiatives, including the directorship of the European Forest Institute.

He was formerly at the European Forest Institute, where he had worked since 2007. He had been the director since 2015, responsible for managing the institute’s development as a pan-European science-policy platform and working to connect knowledge to action at the interface of science, policy and business. Dr Palahi holds a PhD in forestry and economics and has authored and contributed to over 40 scientific publications over the course of his career.

“Marc’s extensive academic experience across nature, forests and the emerging circular bioeconomy industries will be instrumental as holistiQ develops leading nature-based investment products that seek environmental outcomes and compelling returns for clients,” Jean-Pascal Porcherot, co-head of LOIM and managing partner of Lombard Odier, said:

“My ambition is to contribute to Lombard Odier´s long-term sustainable commitment by placing nature and nature-based solutions at the centre of the global investment agenda,” Dr Palahí said.

DWS
Global asset manager DWS has appointed Jessica Hardman as head of its UK-based operations. She will perform this new function in addition to her existing role as head of European portfolio management and head of UK real estate group.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Hardman will also become CEO for DWS Investments UK Ltd. She will join DWS’s global leadership team as well as its investment leadership team, effective immediately, the firm said in a statement this week.

Hardman has had a long career at DWS, having joined Deutsche Bank in 2004 in its UK real estate transactions team before progressing to become head of the unit from 2013 to 2017. She became head of European portfolio management and the UK real estate group at DWS in 2017, where she has overseen global and European funds and international client separately managed accounts strategies. Hardman is a board member and company director for DWS Global Alternatives Ltd, and an industry leader who is a champion for equality and diversity in the asset management industry in the UK and beyond.

In her expanded role, Hardman will oversee the strategic direction and operations of DWS’s UK footprint and will work directly with a diverse group of stakeholders, including clients and local regulators. Hardman is already an active ambassador for DWS’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, and will focus on developing the impact of these efforts in this new role.