The new United Arab Emirates office will be managed by Paul Miller who joins the company as managing director, international private banking from Coutts where he was head of Middle East and chief operating officer for its offshore business.
Arbuthnot Latham’s chief executive, James Fleming, who was previously Miller’s manager at Coutts, said: “The establishment of the Dubai office represents a step-change in Arbuthnot Latham’s international offering and our expansion into the Middle East is one in which I have taken a keen personal interest. Our decision to establish a presence in Dubai reflects Arbuthnot Latham’s confidence for growth in the region and the position which Dubai occupies within that growth.”
A spokesperson said the decision to open the company’s first international office in Dubai was based in part on the fact it had existing clients from the region and also because of Miller’s previous experience as head of Middle East for Coutts.
Arbuthnot said further statements announcing its hires in the Middle East would be issued in due course.
Arbuthnot’s decision to open an office in the region follows a significant push by its competitor Coutts into the Middle East over the last couple of years and it’s interesting to note both Miller and CEO Fleming have jumped ship to launch this new venture.
Coutt’s most recent hire was Michael Dismorr who was appointed to the newly created position of managing director of its Middle East office.