Three changes have been made to the executive team at Investec Wealth & Investment UK (IW&I UK), with the two most senior roles to be filled by women for the first time.
From 1 October, and subject to regulatory approvals, Barbara-Ann King (pictured) will become chief executive of the business and join the executive team.
King joined IW&I UK as CCO in October 2020 and has more than 25 years’ experience in wealth and asset management, having worked at Citi and Barclays Wealth during her career.
She takes over from Ciaran Whelan, managing director of Investec. He took on the CEO role in April 2020 in order to “reposition and better integrate the UK wealth business into the group”, the company said.
He will now focus on his MD role but remain on the board of IW&I and the group executive team.
Following Ruth Leas’ appointment as CEO of Investec Bank in 2019, King’s promotion means the two most senior Investec leadership positions in the UK are both held by women, for the first time in its history.
In a further change, Lesley-Anne Gatter has been named global head of people & organisation (P&O), tasked with stewarding the group’s people strategy across the globe. She was previously head of P&O in South Africa.
Gatter succeeds Marc Kahn who will take up the newly-created role of chief strategy officer. He will continue to chair the group’s executive ESG committee.
From 1 October, female representation on the group executive team more than doubles to 21%, up from 9% currently, “further reflecting Investec’s commitment to belonging, inclusion and diversity”, the company said.
Fani Titi, Investec group CEO, said: “Over the past three years we have concentrated our efforts on creating a simplified and focused business. We are now confident that Investec is well placed to pursue disciplined growth in the long term via greater integration across our deep specialisations.
“To realise this ambition, it is essential that we continue to ensure appropriate and meaningful succession across our global leadership team.
“Investec is extremely fortunate to enjoy such a deep and strong complement of leaders, who are passionate about what we can achieve. We are delighted to have made all these new appointments from within the business, and would also like to acknowledge the immense contribution made by those who are changing roles,” added Titi.
“This is a very exciting time for the business and I am confident that Investec is well positioned to seize the opportunities ahead.”
