UBS’s wealth management arm further bolsters its onshore presence in the Saudi Arabian market with the latest appointment of a new Riyadh-based desk head.

Ghassan Soufi joined UBS, effective as of yesterday, in what the bank calls a «key role» in its growth plans for the Saudi market. According to a statement from the bank, Soufi will be responsible for creating and leading a team of «senior advisors to some of the most important clients and families in the Kingdom».

Soufi has more than 25 years of experience covering the market most recently with the private banking arm of major Saudi lender Samba. 

«Ghassan will be crucial in identifying and hiring top talent locally and leading our onshore client acquisition strategy,» said Abdallah Najia, Saudi Arabia head of wealth management at UBS.

«[Soufi] will help us drive growth and further his successful track record of building excellent client relationships in the Kingdom,» added Ali Janoudi, UBS’s wealth management head of Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa; and vice chairman of Saudi Arabia.