Michael Duss has been appointed Head of Zone Suisse romande, while Olivier Sarfaty becomes CEO of Pictet Wealth Management France.

The appointments took effect on July 1 and form part of the firm's long-term growth strategy in two of its key markets, Pictet announced on Wednesday.

New Head for French-speaking Switzerland

Michael Duss has been appointed Head of Zone Suisse romande at Pictet Wealth Management and will be based in Geneva. He succeeds Jean-Claude Erne, Equity Partner, who is retiring after more than 35 years with Pictet.

Duss joined Pictet in 2022 and most recently headed the firm's Lausanne office. He will be succeeded in that role by Carl Martinet. Before joining Pictet, Duss held various senior positions at UBS, including Head of Global Family Office and UHNW Suisse romande. Earlier in his career, he also worked as a fund manager at Lombard Odier.

Succession After 35 Years

In his new role, Duss will be responsible for further developing Pictet Wealth Management's activities in French-speaking Switzerland, with a particular focus on strengthening relationships with key clients.

«His extensive experience and deep knowledge of the industry will be invaluable assets as we continue to develop our business in this key region,» said François Pictet, Managing Partner of the Group.

New CEO for France

Pictet has also appointed a new leader for its French business. Olivier Sarfaty becomes CEO of Pictet Wealth Management France, succeeding Riccardo Pironti.

Sarfaty brings nearly 20 years of experience in investment banking and wealth management. Most recently, he worked at J.P. Morgan, where he helped expand the firm's private banking business in France and led a team serving ultra-high-net-worth clients. Prior to that, he held various roles at BNP Paribas in investment banking, private equity and private banking in Paris and New York.

As CEO of Pictet Wealth Management France, Sarfaty will report to Pedro Gonzalez Grau, CEO of Pictet Wealth Management Europe.

France a Strategic Market

Commenting on the appointment, François Pictet said: «France, where we have been present for more than twenty years, is a strategic market for the Pictet Group. His experience will be a decisive asset as we continue to grow our business and support our clients over the long term with the same high standards of service.»

Sarfaty added: «What immediately convinced me about Pictet is a truly unique combination: the independence and stability of a Swiss institution founded in 1805, whose partners have invested their own capital alongside that of their clients for more than two centuries, combined with a genuinely global investment platform that brings together innovation, performance and agility – exactly what major French families and entrepreneurs are looking for as their wealth and ambitions increasingly extend beyond national borders.»