Vontobel refocus on client offering
Vontobel is set to become a more client-centric investment manager, according to a press release by the firm.
The firm has outlined its mission to evolve into an internationally active, focused investment manager that will adopt an even more client-centric approach than before and offer its clients deep, global investment expertise.
Vontobel is taking these steps in anticipation of the growing demand for professional investment solutions and for individually tailored expert investment advice across all client groups.
At the same time, Vontobel intends to make targeted use of technology solutions to profit from the significant changes that are occurring in the way clients select and interact with financial services providers. These measures will allow Vontobel to generate new growth potential.
Zeno Staub, CEO, Vontobel, said “Two years ago, we engaged in an intensive dialogue with clients, investors and employees to reaffirm and sharpen Vontobel’s brand essence. Our new organisational set-up, which is aligned with client needs and Vontobel’s areas of expertise, will further enhance our investment quality and therefore also our ability to generate organic growth. This growth will not only be driven by our client focus and performance; by addressing new client groups and establishing new sales channels, we will also gain new growth potential. Technology, partnerships and ecosystems will enable us to significantly scale our investment competencies and make them available to broader client groups.”
Asset Management, which is headed by Axel Schwarzer, will continue to focus primarily on institutional clients such as pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds, as well as third-party banks in the wholesale fund business. The concept of well-established asset-class specialisation and the corresponding boutiques will be complemented by a regional focus in the area of client services.
Wealth Management, headed by Georg Schubiger, focuses on serving wealthy private clients as well as on ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI). In future, Vontobel wants to attract even more UHNWIs than before. As part of the new advisory philosophy, this team will also advise entrepreneurs and decision-makers from the SME segment. Vontobel has selectively expanded its team of client experts in all its markets and will ambitiously pursue these efforts. In addition, clients in Vontobel’s home market of Switzerland will have access to a network of regional locations with proven experts in the areas of advisory and financial planning.
Further wealth management services will be provided via technology-driven, digital models. EAMs and other intermediaries will be offered Vontobel products and services by the Platforms & Services unit. In this area, Vontobel has set itself the goal of becoming the leading partner in Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong and Singapore. Client services will be managed by Brian Fischer.
With ‘Digital Investing’, Vontobel is launching an explicit challenger unit whose competencies can be offered to broader client groups either directly or via ecosystems. This unit will also focus on the successful end-client business with structured products and complement it with a broader investment perspective. Platforms such as deritrade or EAMnet and proprietary robo technology will also continue to operate in these areas, placing an emphasis on client needs. Both of these units will report directly to Zeno Staub.
Read about the full extent of Vontobel’s refocusing HERE.
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