Two 'First Names' make eprivateclient’s 50 Most Influential

Wednesday 25 November 2015

First Names Group has announced that two members of its senior leadership team have been named in eprivateclient’s 2016 ‘50 Most Influential’, making it the only trust company with two winners this year.

Kevin O’Connell, Group Commercial Director, and Mark Pesco, Group Managing Director of Private Client, have both been honoured.

The 50 Most Influential is designed to identify, recognise and promote the leading practitioners of the private client professions, as well as the breadth and depth of talent at the forefront of this industry today. Those who have made it onto the list are the leaders when it comes to providing the best possible advice and service for clients and driving innovation in the way the needs of wealthy individuals are met.

Mr Pesco started his career with PwC in Jersey where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant before moving on to gain international experience in Singapore, Melbourne and London. He returned to Jersey in 2004 to join the Langtry Trust Group and was appointed to Partner within 12 months.

In 2005 he led the sale of Langtry to IFG International and in 2008 he was appointed Managing Director for Jersey. In 2012, IFG International underwent a management buyout and emerged as First Names Group. Since then he has continued to enjoy rapid progression through the ranks; he now sits on the Group Management Committee and heads up the organisation’s Private Client service line.

Mr Pesco is a member of the Group’s leadership team and has been instrumental in the rebrand and rapid growth of the business.

In 2014 he won IoD Jersey Director of the Year for a Large Organisation and was also a finalist for the IoD UK Director of the Year award. In addition he has been named in the Citywealth Leaders List three years running. Commenting on his inclusion in this year’s 50 Most Influential, Mr Pesco said: “I am very pleased to have been recognised by this prestigious listing alongside outstanding professionals in the private client industry – including Kevin! I strive to lead by example so it is fantastic to be awarded for my efforts and dedication.”

Fellow ‘First Name’ Kevin O'Connell has enjoyed similar success over the years and has been equally central to the evolution of the business.

Having joined the company (then IFG International) in 1995, he held the role of Jersey Managing Director for five years before joining the Group Board and then taking on the role of Group Commercial Director in 2012. Prior to joining IFG, Mr O'Connell practised as a private client lawyer in Ireland and holds an Honours law degree (BCL) from the National University of Ireland as well as a Diploma in Property Tax from the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. In his current role he takes primary responsibility for driving the organic growth of First Names Group while simultaneously playing a pivotal role in servicing a number of complex trust-based family relationships. Mr O'Connell is also an active speaker and panel participant at industry events.

This is his second time on eprivateclient’s 50 Most Influential list, having previously been included in 2014. He said of his achievement: “I am absolutely delighted to be back on the 50 Most Influential list, and to share this honour with Mark as well as the other leading private client practitioners. At First Names Group our people (both our clients and our ‘First Names’) are at the centre of all that we do and, in turn, they are at the centre of all that I do – so I like to think this award is in recognition of that.”