Ex-Hawkpoint boss Briance joins Edmond de Rothschild
INVESTMENT banker Richard Briance has ambitious plans for the expansion of the Edmond de Rothschild group’s UK operations, after taking his new role at the helm of the firm.
Briance, who was formerly chief executive and then deputy chairman of corporate finance advisory boutique Hawkpoint, has joined Edmond de Rothschild as its new UK chief executive, overseeing its current operations in corporate finance, fixed income, emerging market country funds and a fund of hedge funds arm.
“The blindingly obvious opportunity is in building up a UK-located private banking operation,” Briance said, citing the group’s strength in the private banking market in Europe and the reassuring pull of the Rothschild family name.
But the firm, which employs around 50 people in London, may also look to add to its strengths in other areas, Briance said. One possible option would be the addition of a specialist asset management business, perhaps focused on the emerging markets or on specialised credit.
Briance was also previously chief executive of WestMerchant Bank, global head of fixed income at UBS and a managing director at Credit Suisse First Boston.