The position is a new one and reflects the firm’s "growth ambitions”, the company said.
Most recently Osborn-Smith had been finance director for an undisclosed start-up group in Switzerland.
His previous experience includes a stint in Zurich when he set up an office for Rawlinson and Hunter, the UK-based private client and corporate advisory services provider, tax adviser and funds administrator. In 2009 he was involved in setting up a Zurich office for STM Group, the Gibraltar-based, London Alternative Investment Market-listed corporate and trustee services provider.
In his new role with Hawksford, Osborn-Smith will be responsible for financial reporting, office administration and compliance, but will also focus on client work, and developing the company’s trust business.
He will divide his time between Jersey and Zurich, and report to Hawksford Group’s managing director, Nigel Bentley.
Hawksford was established in 2008 as Hawksford International, following a management buyout of Rathbone Trust Company Jersey, which had been backed by Dunedin, the UK private equity company. It rebranded subsequently as the Hawksford Group. The company’s managers have sought to expand the company, both organically as well as through acquisition.
In May of this year Hawksford opened an office in Dubai, and as part of its acquisition of L-S&S last year, it also gained a New Zealand operation.
The Swiss operation retained the L-S&S name but in New Zealand it now goes by Hawksford.
