According to a statement on Tuesday, Bank Syz is strengthening its leadership team with two experienced banking managers. Marc Brodard will become the new head of Private Clients, while Martin Freiermuth will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

With these appointments, the bank is more clearly separating the operational management of the private client banking business from the strategic development of wealth management, it said.

Former Bonhôte executive takes over 

Brodard will in future lead Bank Syz’s private client teams and report directly to Philippe Turrian, head of the wealth management business. The division will thus receive independent leadership. The business with external asset managers will continue to be led by Etienne Billaud.

The new division of responsibilities is intended to give Turrian more time for the strategic development of wealth management and for serving clients.

Brodard has more than 40 years of experience in banking. Most recently, he was Chief Client Officer and a member of the executive board at Banque Bonhôte, where he was responsible for the nationwide client organization. Before that, as a member of the executive board, he headed Schroder & Co Bank’s Swiss private client business. He has also served as CEO of Hyposwiss Private Bank and held various management positions at Credit Suisse.

Former EFG COO joins Syz

With Freiermuth, Syz is also bringing on board a recognized specialist in banking technology and operational processes. The new COO will become a member of the executive management and report directly to CEO Nicolas Syz. Freiermuth will be responsible for operations, technology and security. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial sector.

Among other roles, he spent five years as Group Chief Operating Officer and a member of the executive management at EFG International. There, he was responsible for technology, digitalization, cybersecurity, operations and cost management. Other positions in his career include Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, Vontobel, McKinsey and UBS.

At Syz, Freiermuth is expected to drive technological modernization, automation and operational efficiency in particular. His responsibilities will also include evaluating potential applications of artificial intelligence.

The family-owned Syz Group will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. In addition to Bank Syz, it includes the companies Syz Capital and Syz Asset Management.