Family-controlled Reyl named a former Lombard Odier private banker as its fifth partner. The appointment reflects the growing importance of digitization in the Swiss bank's strategy.
Geneva-based Reyl said Pasha Bakhtiar, who built up its affiliate in Dubai, was named a partner. Bakhtiar was based in the Middle East for Lombard Odier when he was poached by Reyl in 2015.
His remit will include driving Reyl's long-term digitization strategy. Bakhtiar is a veteran of private banking, asset management, and private equity. He joins as the Swiss bank's fifth partner, alongside CEO François Reyl, Asia head Nicolas Duchêne, Christian Fringhian and Lorenzo Rocco di Torrepadula.
Focus on Fintech
The bank was founded in 1973 by Dominique Reyl, and led for the past ten years by his son, François. Reyl, which buried a scandal around prominent former client Jerome Cahuzac last year, recently offloaded its asset management arm. The proceeds will in part go towards digitization efforts, led by Bakhtiar, as well as fintech efforts.
Bakhtiar is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds an MBA from INSEAD. «This appointment reflects our desire to reinforce our group of partners by promoting highly talented professionals able to pursue and strengthen the group's development», CEO Reyl said in a statement.
