Based in London Saunders will oversee a team of 50 on the western Europe and Americas desks.
He will report to managing director Michael Mount, who leads the international client group based in the UK.
Prior to joining Coutts, Saunders spent five years at Barclays Wealth where he built and ran specialist teams of high net worth bankers focused on RND, court of protection clients and charity, financial and city professionals.
He has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, formerly as in-house counsel for UBS Warburg with his other roles including head of legal, chief of staff, and deputy head of the UK for UBS Wealth Management.
“Coutts is delighted to welcome John to the team, said Michael Morley, chief executive. With over 20 years’ industry experience, his appointment is confirmation of our commitment to the development of our services for international clients based in the UK. John’s expertise of working with notable RND’s from the legal, accountancy, finance and charity sectors will be a significant benefit to the existing business and his role within Coutts.”
“I am delighted to be joining Coutts with a mandate to focus on the RND market,” Saunders said. This is an area in which Coutts has traditionally been strong, which remains of strategic importance, and we believe is one in which it can truly be differentiated and market leading.”