16 October 2008: Barclays Wealth makes new hires just months after office opening

Barclays Wealth, the UK’s leading wealth manager, has signalled its ongoing commitment to the region with the announcement of four senior hires to its recently opened Bournemouth office.

Neil Lewis, Robin Taylor, Colin Byford and Annabel Underwood all join the expanding team in a move that underlines the region’s importance as a centre of wealth and prosperity.

Barclays Wealth unveiled the brand new Bournemouth office in June to provide an integrated wealth management service, including private banking, asset management and financial planning services, to high net worth and affluent clients across Dorset and the South of England, from Dorchester to Portsmouth. The new hires will work with clients in these areas to help protect, grow and enjoy their wealth as well as assuming responsibility for attracting new business from within the growing wealth base in the region.

Two of the hires, Neil Lewis and Colin Byford, join from Coutts Bank in Bournemouth and so bring substantial experience of working with wealthy clients in the region.

Neil will join as an Associate Director, and brings nearly 15 years experience to the role, which includes helping spearhead the Barclays Premiership sponsorship deal and spending the last two years working at Coutts.  Commenting on his new role, he said: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at such a time of growth, and am looking forward to working with clients to provide a truly holistic approach to wealth management.  This approach is what attracted me to the business and, in an increasingly competitive environment, is what I believe will continue to set us apart from the market and represent the driving force behind our growth.”

Robin Taylor joins as Manager, and is moving from London, where he has spent the past 14 years in the investment and banking arena, working on a range of roles which has given him a wide breadth of experience in working with high net worth clients. Commenting on his new role, he said: “I am really excited to be joining the team in Bournemouth, and am looking forward to developing new relationships and the Barclays Wealth offering throughout the region.”

Colin Byford and Annabel Underwood both join as private bank executives, and will provide support to the team of bankers giving advice to high net worth clients from around the region.

Rob Jones, head of Barclays Wealth in Bournemouth, says: “The region is thriving as a centre of business excellence which means there are an increasing number of individuals who require our services, meaning we continually need to enhance our offering and expertise.  As experienced financial and wealth management professionals, the four will help us do exactly this and ensure our offering continues to be industry leading.”

Barclays Wealth has been working with clients in the South West for many years and has a strong regional presence across the UK, with offices in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester. 

To arrange an interview or for further media information contact:

Barclays Wealth
Nicola Hankey
020 7114 9813 / 07775 548418

Jignasa Patel
020 7699 2483 / 07500953 280

Cohn & Wolfe
James Pieslak 
020 7331 5309 / 07736 325 985