Schroders makes series of wealth management leadership appointments

Schroders Wealth Management and Cazenove Capital have announced a series of leadership appointments, marking the next phase in the reshaping of Schroders’ wealth management business.

The firm said the appointments reflected its wealth management strategy to build a more focused, globally connected and client-led business, investing in leadership, capabilities, and specialist expertise to meet clients’ increasingly complex and international needs.

Grace Lavelle has been named as chief investment officer, having been at Schroders for over a decade.

In her new role, she will lead the evolution of Schroders’ investment platform while maintaining a discipled long-term investment philosophy.

Lavelle’s previous positions at Schroders include director, Schroder Solutions; investment director, multi-asset; and investment strategy director, Cazenove.

She replaces Casper Rock who, after 10 years as chief investment officer, has been appointed as vice chair for Schroders Wealth Management, where he will focus on the firm’s most strategic global client relationships.

Wilaf Moore has been appointed as CEO, UK and Channel Islands for Cazenove Capital.

He has been with Schroders and Cazenove Capital for more than 25 years, initially as an investment director at Schroders and, most recently, a portfolio director at Cazenove Capital.

Meanwhile, Neil De Sousa has been named as Schroders Wealth Management head of Middle East and Geneva, joining from HSBC Global Private Banking.

The appointments come in a period of change for Schroders’ wealth management business, with the firm having launched a global wealth advisory service following the sale of Benchmark to Söderberg & Partners, all while Schroders is currently under acquisition by Nuveen.

"These appointments reflect both our ambition and our intent,” said Schroders Wealth Management CEO, Oliver Gregson.

“We are building a wealth management business that is designed for the future – one that combines trusted relationships, world-class expertise and global connectivity to help clients navigate an increasingly complex world.

"The needs of our clients are evolving. Our role is not simply to respond to that change, but to stay ahead of it – bringing together the right people, capabilities and technology to deliver advice that is personal, integrated and built around each client's ambitions.

"Our mission is to give clients the freedom to focus on what matters most to them. Delivering on that promise means continually investing in exceptional people, broadening our capabilities and combining the strength of human judgement with the opportunities created by technology and innovation.

"We have built an exceptional leadership team, developed outstanding talent from within and continue to attract some of the industry's most respected leaders. Together, they strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients today while building one of the world's leading wealth management businesses for the future."

Schroders group chief executive, Richard Oldfield, added: "Wealth management is a central pillar of Schroders' long-term growth strategy.

“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to investing in exceptional people, strengthening our international capabilities and building a globally connected wealth management business.

"By combining Schroders' world-class investment expertise with trusted advice, deep client relationships and increasingly sophisticated wealth capabilities, we are creating a compelling proposition for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients around the world."

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