Amidst a reorganization taking place at Liechtenstein's VP Group, a well-known former UBS banker becomes head of its Swiss business.
Mara Harvey is taking over as head of the Swiss bank at VP Group, the Liechtenstein-based institution announced Tuesday. As of January 1, the economist with over 20 years of experience in private banking will also be responsible for the European region, including the Zurich location and Luxembourg.
The appointment comes in the wake of a recent reorganization at the banking group. The client solutions business will be «regrouped» at the end of the year, according to the statement, but this will essentially amount to a dissolution.
Part of the Transformation
Client activities of the unit will be transferred to regional responsibilities, consisting of the regions of Liechtenstein, Caribbean business, Asia, and Europe.
In addition to intermediary and private client business in the Principality, the Liechtenstein home market will be responsible for the fund companies Funds Solutions (Liechtenstein) and Funds Solutions (Luxembourg).
Thomas von Hohenhau, who previously headed client solutions, will be part of the transformation but is leaving VP Bank afterward, according to Tuesday's announcement. All employees in the unit continue to be employed by the group, a spokeswoman confirmed in response to a request from finews.asia.
High Finance and Children's Books
VP CEO Paul Arni scored a minor coup with the hiring of Harvey. The experienced banker was considered one of the top women at UBS, and one of the protégés of the late former manager Juerg Zeltner.
At UBS she made a name for herself as a champion of diversity and good works. In the spring of 2020, Harvey took over the responsibility of the then-newly created client services division, tasked with advising wealthy families on the arts and philanthropy.
In addition to her jobs in finance, Harvey is the author of several children's books on financial literacy themes.
