Coutts continues its restructure with the hire of Jo Kaye as its first chief operating officer for products, services and marketing.
Kaye, who joined on 9 July, was recruited from Barclays Wealth where she was global head of operational risk following a number of other senior roles in the firm including chief operating offer (COO) for the wealth advisory business and chief of staff to the COO. Her career began at the Bank of England.
She takes over from Paul Ford who, as an external contractor, was the interim COO pending her appointment.
Kaye reports to Ian Ewart, managing director and head of products, services and marketing, a business unit created at the end of last year when products & service was merged with marketing under his leadership. Neither team had its own COO.
She will be responsible for executing the team’s strategic agenda, providing business support and ensuring appropriate control and risk monitoring processes are in place.
Explaining the reason for Kaye’s role, Ewart commented: “Our clients are increasingly seeking innovation from us as their wealth manager and it is crucial that we deliver these products and services quickly and efficiently in response to rapidly changing market conditions.
“It’s also vital that we can deliver these safely and securely with appropriate supporting advice and product literature. Jo’s appointment will be vital to delivering this and supporting us in our strategy to build on our wealth management offering.”