In its 218-year history, the Swiss private bank Pictet had only 46 partners. A 47th has now been chosen, finews.com has learned.

Pictet Group is appointing Raymond Sagayam as its 47th managing partner in the group's 218-year history starting January of next year, according to an internal announcement Wednesday evening. A spokesman for the Geneva-domiciled bank confirmed the information to finews.com.

Sagayam, a British national of Malaysian parentage, joined Pictet Asset Management (PAM) in 2010 as head of total return fixed income and was instrumental in building and expanding the long/short corporate bond strategies business.

London Leadership Role

In 2017, he was appointed chief investment officer (CIO) for fixed income at PAM and joined its executive committee, a year later becoming an equity partner at Pictet Group. Last year, he also took over as the overall head of PAM London.

Before joining Pictet, he was a Managing Director at Swiss Re Asset Management in London. He counts more than 25 years of industry experience focused on fixed-income investments in all major regions.

Cosmopolitan Team Player

Sagayam grew up in Washington DC, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Singapore, and London, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He also holds a Master's degree in Contemporary Theology from the University of London and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

«We are delighted to welcome Raymond to our Board of Partners,» said Renaud de Planta, Managing Senior Partner of Pictet. «He is a true cosmopolitan with outstanding expertise and team spirit, but above all, someone who knows and embodies Pictet very well.»

Positive Energy

«As we set up the board of partners for the next generation, he will further strengthen us with his investment experience and international focus, as well as his positive energy,» de Planta said. The appointment requires formal regulatory approval.

As finews.com reported in September, Sven Holstenson, 39, became the 46th member of the Board of Partners in the bank's 217-year history. In 2021, Elif Aktug became the first woman to join the bank's top partner body after joining Pictet in 2011. Bertrand Demole will step down from the Board of Partners at the end of June.