Gandhi, based in Singapore, assumed his role today, according to a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman from the firm.
In this newly-created role, Gandhi is responsible for managing UHNW clients across Asia, according to a statement from the bank. He reports to Enid Yip, J Safra Sarasin’s Asia CEO.
“Recognising the distinct needs of UHNW clients, we have established a new division,” Yip said in the statement.
The spokeswoman did not respond to inquiries about who was previously in charge of UHNW clients and did not elaborate on hiring plans for the new division.
She added that the bank plans to continue to grow organically in the region and would welcome private bankers of Gandhi’s calibre.
Gandhi has around 25 years of wealth management experience in Asia. Before he joined J Safra Sarasin, he was a managing director and regional market manager for UHNW for Southeast Asia at UBS. In that position, he led a team of 150 people based in Singapore and Hong Kong serving UHNW clients in the region, primarily in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, according to the statement.
FSA sought more information from UBS concerning Gandhi’s replacement, but the firm did not reply.
Prior to joining UBS in 2010, Gandhi was managing director and head of South Asia for Deutsche Bank’s private banking division in Singapore, according to the statement. He also held senior roles at Citigroup Private Bank and Commerzbank in Asia.
