Rathbones, one of the UK’s wealth and asset management groups, has appointed Tessa Curtis as its first director of corporate communications & affairs to position the business for a new phase of growth following its combination with Investec Wealth and Investment (UK).
Curtis previously built an award-winning narrative and team as head of group PR and media relations at Entain plc, the FTSE global betting and gaming group with brands like Ladbrokes and Coral. She has financial services experience with companies including Legal & General, Barclays, Mirabaud and Santander, and led communications for the launch of Clearpay in the UK.
Reporting to Chief Client Officer Simonetta Rigo, Curtis will own Rathbones’ corporate brand narrative and reputation whilst building an expanded Corporate Communications team, overseeing external communications, media relations, including financial, and public affairs.
Rigo joined Rathbones in September last year as Chief Client Officer, a dedicated executive role to lead client experience, marketing and proposition, in which she leads an expanded Client Office function for the combined Group, driving its strategy for growth.
Rigo said: “Tessa has had a distinguished career in PR and communications and we are looking forward to her joining the Client Office at Rathbones. Her vast industry experience and exemplary reputation will be a real asset to the team and will help drive our strategy and focus forward.”
Curtis said: “I’m delighted to be joining one of the oldest and most prestigious firms in UK wealth and asset management as it embarks on its next phase of growth. The role of the private sector, entrepreneurs and wealth creation has never been more important to the success of the UK economy, and Rathbones is uniquely well placed to champion and lead this at a pivotal time”.
Soon after joining Rathbones in February, Curtis will be hiring additional team members to expand capacity of the new Corporate Communications and Affairs function as the FTSE-250 wealth and asset management company embarks on the next phase of its growth.
Prior to taking the role, Curtis has been running her own consultancy, and has also been a Director at Fanclub PR, an award-winning independent public relations agency known for work on sustainability and purpose, leading its strategic, corporate and sustainability communications.
Originally a journalist, Curtis moved from The Daily Telegraph, where she was City Correspondent, to become BBC Business Correspondent, leading coverage for news and programmes including Today and Newsnight. Later she moved into PR, initially with large agencies including Weber Shandwick Worldwide, where she was MD of its Financial and Corporate practices, and subsequently her own.
