Zurich
Colum O’Brien has been hired by Zurich’s international life office in the Middle East as a member of the insurer’s executive team.
In this newly created role O’Brien will be tasked with leading the retail distribution team across Zurich’s bank and IFA channels in the region.
Reporting directly into chief executive Walter Jopp, he will also take charge of the insurer’s marketing and communications team to ensure an “integrated approach between departments to maintain Zurich’s market leading position in the Middle East”, the company said in a statement.
A qualified financial adviser, O’Brien joined Zurich in 1983 and has worked in a number of senior roles in distribution, most recently heading up the global distribution management for Zurich’s life business.
Prior to that, he was the head of IFAs and head of retail for Zurich Ireland. O’Brien is a board member of Zurich Intermediary Group in the UK.
MBMG
MBMG Group, an advisory firm in Thailand, has confirmed that Peter Emblin, senior adviser of the group’s corporate solutions division, will be leaving the company.
The firm said Emblin had been offered a role with one of MBMG Group’s clients but stopped short of naming who.
MBMG, which offers tax planning and invest advisory services, said the new job would allow Emblin to “to travel to his native Australia on a more frequent basis, which is important to him for both lifestyle and family reasons.”
“All at MBMG Group would like to express thanks to Peter for his contribution and sincerely and genuinely wish him all the best in his future ventures,” it said.
Close Brothers
Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) has appointed Donovan Davey as one of its business development directors, making him responsible for building new relationships with the intermediary market in the north west of England.
With over 12 year’s of experience within financial services, Donovan has previously worked for multi-national companies including HBOS, Aegon and most recently Axa Life Invest.
Donovan’s role will also include promoting CBAM’s investment proposition in the region and providing advisers and their clients with the best service possible.
