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

Axyon AI 
Italian fintech firm Axyon AI, an AI provider for the asset management industry, has appointed Andrea Gentilini as its latest advisory committee member.

With experience in the asset management and fintech industries, Gentilini will join Axyon AI’s committee to support the firm's growth and development, the firm said in a statement.

Axyon AI uses artificial intelligence and deep learning predictive solutions to offer professional investors a practical way to incorporate AI into their investment strategies, and improve portfolio performance.

The fintech completed its €1.6 million ($1.73 million) funding round in July last year, led by the Fondo Rilancio Startup (Relaunch Start-up Fund), managed by CDP Venture Capital SGR, with UniCredit, Geminea, ING and Metes as co-investors. In addition, the company said it has a partnership with the AI and computer sciences faculty at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Prior to managing a fintech business, Novus Partners, Gentilini was managing director for Union Bancaire Privée, where he launched and co-managed the first actively managed gold fund. His 25 years’ experience also includes a number of other roles in the asset management industry, including positions at UBS Wealth Management and Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers). He is currently head of Vescore, Vontobel’s Asset Management boutique, the firm continued.

Welcoming him to the firm, Daniele Grassi, CEO of Axyon AI, said: "His technical expertise and vast experience in the asset management field will further progress our mission in harnessing the power of AI to support asset managers and boost alpha generation.”

Gentilini added: “The use of AI within asset management has seen exponential growth over the past year and Axyon AI is market-leading in its field. I proudly support their journey as they bring their technology to a global audience.”

Pacific Asset Management
Pacific Asset Management has appointed of Mary Murphy as global head of institutional sales, based in PAM’s London office. She will report to chief executive, Matthew Lamb, and will join as a partner and member of the executive committee.

Murphy was previously head of global consultant relations at GAM, responsible for developing and implementing its global consultant relations strategy. Prior to this, she was head of UK investment consultant strategy, Global Consultant Relations (EMEA) at BlackRock. She has also worked at Deutsche Asset Management and State Street Global Advisors Ireland Ltd (previously Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited).

Lamb said: “I have known Mary for many years and admired the skill and professionalism she brings to all her roles. Our institutional client base has been the fastest growth area for the business, and Mary’s expertise will help to bring our differentiated, high conviction solutions to a wider institutional audience. Furthermore, the board and I are very much looking forward to having Mary’s extensive knowledge and leadership experience as part of PAM's executive committee.”

Murphy said: “I look forward to building on PAM’s institutional position and expanding our footprint into new markets. PAM’s advanced, scalable infrastructure and investment expertise across specialist strategies with proven track records, offers a huge opportunity to serve new and existing clients.”

Pacific Asset Management is an independent asset manager based in London responsible for over £3.7 billion ($4.6 billion) of assets.

Withers
International law firm Withers has grown its Geneva-based Swiss practice by adding new partner Berry Bloomberg.

Bloomberg, previously from Burges Salmon, is a tax and trust specialist representing clients on asset holding structures, the taxation of offshore trusts and companies and negotiating tax disclosures with tax authorities. His clients include internationally mobile individuals and families, trust companies and financial institutions. He has a particular focus on helping clients with US connections, the firm said in a statement.

Justine Markovitz, head of Withers' Swiss practice, and chairperson, said: "Berry is a wonderful enhancement to our Geneva team. With the addition of his skills and experience we will keep growing the services we offer to our clients and contacts in Switzerland. His experience of working with both English and US clients is really valuable, building on two key focus areas within our Geneva practice, and I am sure he will be a popular source of advice and support for clients."

Bloomberg added: "I'm really looking forward to establishing myself within Withers' Swiss practice. The team are well respected members of the advisory community in Switzerland and the international client base is precisely the one I most enjoy working with, delivering individual solutions for their tax and wealth planning strategies."

Withers' Swiss practice, which was established by Markovitz in 2005, provides US, UK and cross-border international tax and trust services, as well as strategic advice on multi-jurisdictional litigation issues.

Walker Crips
Walker Crips Investment Management, part of Walker Crips, the UK financial services firm, has appointed former Kleinwort Hambros senior private banker Alan Kinnaird as the company's business development manager.

Kinnaird has worked in the financial services sector for 27 years, having spent the last three years at Kleinwort Hambros Private Bank.