Julius Baer has set up a new global products & solutions unit combining its former markets and wealth management solutions units (part of the former investment & wealth management solutions – IWMS – unit) under the co-leadership of Luigi Vignola and Rajesh Manwani.
In his new role, Manwani (pictured) will become a member of the global wealth management committee (GWMC), representing global products & solutions alongside Vignola, who has run Julius Baer’s markets unit globally for the last six years, according to a statement by the Swiss private bank today.
The organisational changes, which are effective immediately, follow the establishment of the new executive board and the global wealth management committee, announced in February 2025.
The CIO Office area, previously within the former IWMS set-up, will stand as a separate function under the leadership of chief investment officer Yves Bonzon, who has held this position since 2016, while continuing to report to chief executive officer Stefan Bollinger.
Bonzon will remain a member of the GWMC, and this “move ensures the independence of Julius Baer’s investment management capabilities to the benefit of the group’s clients, while supporting delivery of an integrated offering,” according to the statement.
Going forward, Julius Baer’s client business will be structured in three regions: Asia, which will continue to be led by Jimmy Lee; Emerging Markets, which will continue to be led by Rahul Malhotra; and the new Western Markets & Switzerland, which will be co-led by Carlos Recoder and Thomas Frauenlob.
Recoder and Frauenlob will oversee Switzerland – Julius Baer’s home market – as well as the rest of Western Europe, the Americas and the intermediaries and family office business.
Finally, Nicolas de Skowronski, who has been co-head of IWMS during the past five years, is newly appointed head of digital business transformation, reporting to chief operating officer (COO) Nic Dreckmann.
Skowronski will also serve as deputy COO and remains a member of the GWMC.
Bollinger said: “Following the establishment of the new executive board and global wealth management committee, these changes are a further step towards a simpler and more client-centric organisation that positions Julius Baer for growth. The new structure, centred around enduring client focus, will drive accountability and disciplined entrepreneurship while reinforcing our risk culture.”
