Hillier, who has 30 years of experience in managing money for high net worth individuals, was executive director in her previous position at Stonehage. Prior to this, she spent nine years as co-head of wealth management and chief investment officer with Investec Private Bank.

Her appointment concludes a hunt for a new head since Danny Dixon stepped down from the post at the start of this year. He had held the job since 2010. 

She has held a number of other management and client-focused positions in London, including head of investments at ABN AMRO, head of portfolio management at Credit Suisse and senior energy trader with Lehman Brothers.

Until 1988, Hillier worked as an investment advisor and portfolio manager in Bahrain, initially with Merrill Lynch and later with Gulf International Bank.

“Kim brings with her extensive knowledge of the wealth management and private banking industry and the right skills to continue the growth and the new development of our private banking and wealth management business here in the UK and in the other international markets in which we have an interest,” said Raymond Sykes, managing director at the bank.