In the middle of its strategy cycle, Julius Baer significantly expands the scope of its senior management to a broader global presence vis-à-vis its clients. Some veterans will leave, and managers from competitors will join.
Next year Julius Baer will restructure its Executive Board around CEO Philipp Rickenbacher, involving new appointments to the previously ten-member board and departures, the firm announced Monday.
The reorganization makes changes to the regional structure of the group, creates a dedicated area of responsibility for customer experience, and strengthens the importance of employee management and culture.
HR Joins Top Management
The newly created Client Strategy & Experience division will provide support, segment management, marketing, and front risk management for all regions. In addition, Human Resources is now directly represented in top management.
The changes at the structural and management levels are designed to help achieve targets for the 2023 to 2025 strategic cycle and beyond.
The management boards of Julius Baer Group and Bank Julius Baer & Co consist of the following individuals as of next year:
- CEO and Deputy:
Philipp Rickenbacher, CEO
Nic Dreckmann, COO & Deputy CEO
- Regions and Clients:
Sonia Goessi, Switzerland & Europe
Carlos Recoder Miralles, Americas & Iberian Peninsula
Rahul Malhotra, Emerging Markets
Jimmy Lee, Asia
Thomas Frauenlob, Intermediaries & Family Offices
Sandra Niethen, Client Strategy & Experience
- Products and Investment Solutions:
Luigi Vignola, Markets
Yves Bonzon, Investment & Wealth Management Solutions, Chief Investment Officer
Nicolas de Skowronski, Investment & Wealth Management Solutions, Wealth Management Solutions
- Strategy, Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Functions:
Evie Kostakis, CFO
Guido Ruoss, Chief Human Resources Officer & Corporate Affairs
Oliver Bartholet, Chief Risk Officer
Christoph Hiestand, Group General Counsel
Yves Robert-Charrue Departs
Two veterans are no longer part of the new management team. Yves Robert-Charrue decided to leave the group in 2024 and is stepping down as a member of the Executive Board. Robert-Charrue has been with the bank since 2009 and is currently responsible for the Switzerland, Middle East, and Africa markets.
Beatriz Sanchez (pictured below), head of the Americas, is also stepping down from the Executive Board at her request. She relinquishes operational responsibility in January 2024 and takes on the role of chair of Americas at Julius Baer. She played a leading role in cleaning up the bank following money laundering scandals in Latin America.
(Image: Julius Baer)
Switzerland Again Under New Management
Sonia Goessi, the new head of Switzerland & Europe, joins Julius Baer from UBS on January 1. At UBS, she was most recently responsible for the Wealth Management for the Europe International North sector.
Carlos Recoder Miralles, responsible for the Americas & Iberian Peninsula markets, currently heads the Western and Northern Europe & Luxembourg region at the institution. He joined the bank in 2016 after working at Credit Suisse from 1997 to 2016.
Rahul Malhotra, Emerging Markets, is currently responsible for Global India (clients residing in and outside India), Japan, and Asian clients serviced from Switzerland and Japan. He joined the company in 2021 from JPMorgan. Malhotra will primarily be based out of Dubai, as this financial center plays a central role in the «Bears'» growth ambitions.
Thomas Frauenlob, Intermediaries & Family Offices, joins Julius Baer on April 1 from UBS where he heads the Global Financial Intermediaries. He was previously responsible for the Swiss Global Family Office and the Swiss Ultra-High Net Worth business.
Sandra Niethen, Client Strategy & Experience, is named chief of staff and head of strategy, She's been at Julius Baer since 2020.
Guido Ruoss, chief human resources officer & corporate affairs, has been responsible for Global Human Resources at Julius Baer since 2015. Previously, he was responsible for business and product management in the Bank's Investment Solutions division. He has been with Julius Baer since 2008.
Christoph Hiestand, Group General Counsel, joined Julius Baer in 2001 and has been Group General Counsel since 2009.
