Oak makes senior appointment in private client team

Tuesday 03 September 2024

International funds, private client and corporate services provider Oak has appointed a new Group Head of Private Client.

Stuart Dowding will oversee the strategic direction and operation of Oak’s private client services across all jurisdictions including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Mauritius.

Based in Guernsey, he will lead a team of experienced and qualified professionals and play a key role in developing new business opportunities and cultivating strong relationships with clients and intermediaries, the firm said.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the private wealth sphere, Mr Dowding has gained working knowledge of trust and corporate structures, supporting many clients with matters ranging from family wealth asset protection planning to significant property portfolios, for both investment and development purposes.

In his previous role, Mr Dowding led a team of over 60 private client specialists and was responsible for delivering the teams’ strategy and collaborating with colleagues in offices worldwide.

Before this, Mr Dowding relocated to Hong Kong and spent two years as the Managing Director of a trust company, returning to Guernsey at the end of 2018.

He was named in ePrivateClient’s 'Top 35 under 35' list, and peer-nominated inclusion in the 2023 Private Client Global Elite Client directory.

Mr Dowding said: "I’m looking forward to working with the talented team across all jurisdictions and contributing to the development and delivery of high-quality private client services.

"Oak has a strong reputation for excellence and innovation in the industry and I am eager to be part of its vision and values."

Oak’s Group CEO Kim Sgarlata added: “We are excited to have Stuart join our expanding team.

"His arrival marks a significant advancement in standardising and enriching our client interactions, bringing even greater cohesion to our private wealth teams, broadening our customer reach, and certifying that our approach is truly geographically agnostic.”