Liechtenstein’s LGT Wealth Management in Scots push

Jonathan King and John Godfrey

LGT Wealth Management announced that it has moved its Scotland office to a new headquarters in Edinburgh at Capital Square on Morrison Street, one of the capital city’s largest office developments.

Following its £140 million acquisition last year of Abrdn’s discretionary fund management business, LGT Wealth Management now has over 50 people working out of its Edinburgh base, advising clients across Scotland.

LGT has taken over 9,000 square feet of grade A office space at Capital Square, including capacity for 72 workspaces, to accommodate 100 staff and six meeting rooms.

LGT Wealth Management is part of LGT Group, a private banking and asset management group that has been fully controlled by the Liechtenstein Princely Family for over 90 years.

As at December 31, 2023, LGT Group managed assets of $375.6 billion for wealthy private individuals and institutional clients.

LGT Wealth Management CEO Ben Snee said: “We are dedicated to bringing exceptional service to clients and partners around the UK, and we look forward to strengthening our presence in Edinburgh and Scotland in the months and years ahead.”

John Godfrey, Head of Scotland at LGT Wealth Management, said: “In just over two years, we have grown rapidly in Edinburgh, we are committed to servicing our clients across Scotland and Capital Square gives our 50-strong headcount a fitting base from which we can continue our next phase of growth.”

LGT Wealth Management also announced the hire of Jonathan King from Barclays Wealth, where he was a director since 2018 and latterly their most senior private banker.

Before that, King, a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI), was an investment manager at Tilney Investment Management (now Evelyn Partners).

Godfrey added: “Jonny has experience of looking after many successful entrepreneurs and business owners, individuals and families across Scotland, advising on all aspects of wealth management.

“I had the pleasure of working with him for many years at Barclays and believe he is an excellent addition in helping us to grow our client base and relationships with Scotland’s leading corporate advisors.

King rejoins colleagues with whom he previously worked at Barclays, including Hope Cole, a Trainee Wealth Manager who joined the business in February 2023.

Julie Hutchison, who joined LGT following the Abrdn acquisition in September 2023, has recently been appointed to an expanded role as Technical Director for Philanthropy and Charities.