EFG International appoints a new chief executive officer for its Dubai advisory office.
EFG appointed Ali Sandila as the CEO of its Dubai Advisory Office, effective December 1, succeeding Sascha Pietrek, who stepped down from the job to pursue personal interests, the Zurich-based firm said in a statement Wednesday. Pietrek will continue to serve as an external board member of the Dubai subsidiary.
In his new role, Sandila will focus on further strengthening EFG’s presence in the United Arab Emirates and will drive the bank’s accelerated business growth from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), reporting to François Farjallah, head of the Middle East region.
Banking Experience
He joined EFG in 2019 when the bank commenced operations in Dubai and has over two decades of experience in the field of wealth management and private banking, and was appointed head of private banking in Dubai the same year.
Before joining EFG, Sandila served as market head for the Middle East and as a member of the Middle East and Africa Board at LGT Bank Middle East, also based in the DIFC, from 2016. Before that, he was team lead & head of Middle East at Julius Baer (Middle East) from 2010 to 2015. He began his career in 2002 and held several senior client relationship roles at Mashreq Bank PJSC, ABN Amro, and UBS.
Middle East Plans
EFG’s Dubai Advisory Office has a team of 30 employees serving high-net-worth individuals in the region, offering bespoke advisory services.
In announcing the appointment, Patrick Ramsey, head of continental Europe and the Middle East Region said «As part of our 2025 strategic plan, we aim to expand our Middle East business across GCC countries and the Levant, as well as broadening our range of investment and credit products and services with a particular focus on Sharia offerings and custody services for local Middle Eastern securities.»
