Kleinwort Benson announce Managing Director appointment
Mark Bright has been appointed Managing Director of Kleinwort Benson in Guernsey.
To increase its client focus and establish a strong platform from which to develop further, Kleinwort Benson has redefined its three business units: Private Wealth Management, Banking and Private & Corporate Fiduciary. The company has strengthened the role of local Managing Directors, with the heads of the newly formed divisions also assuming the roles of Managing Directors of UK, Guernsey and Jersey respectively.
Therefore Mr Bright’s appointment as Managing Director also includes that of Head of Banking for the Kleinwort Benson Group, and focuses on the growth of the group’s banking proposition from its newly centralised base in Guernsey.
During his 33 year career in finance, Mr Bright has worked in the Middle East and across Europe.
He began his career at the National Westminster Bank in London in 1977, before moving to the bank’s Bahrain offshore banking unit. He remained in Bahrain for ten years, working at the Swiss Bank Corporation where he was appointed Vice President and Deputy Branch Manager.
Mr Bright moved to Guernsey in 1993 where he joined Credit Suisse (Guernsey) Limited, becoming a Member of the Executive Board with general responsibility for business development.
He moved to MeesPierson Channel Islands Limited as Managing Director in 2001, before moving to Ansbacher where he was appointed as Chief Executive/Country Manager of Ansbacher Group’s Channel Island business.
Mr Bright has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Financial Studies, and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
In the Channel Islands, he joins Angus Taylor, who remains Managing Director of Kleinwort Benson in Jersey, which also encompasses the role of Head of Corporate & Private Fiduciary for the Kleinwort Benson Group.
“We are delighted to welcome Mark to both the Executive Committee, and to the Board of Kleinwort Benson Channel Islands Holdings Limited,” said Robert Taylor, Chief Executive of Kleinwort Benson Bank Limited.
“He is well known and respected in the offshore finance sector and brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise within banking, which will be invaluable to Kleinwort Benson as we focus on the development and growth of our banking proposition from its newly centralised base in Guernsey.
“As a result of these changes Sandra Platts, who was Managing Director of Kleinwort Benson in Guernsey, has agreed to step down from her role over the next six months to pursue other interests and opportunities.
“Sandra has been part of Kleinwort Benson for more than 20 years, and we would like to thank her for all her hard work and commitment and wish her all the very best for her future.”
Kleinwort Benson recently completed its sale from Commerzbank AG to RHJ International SA.