The new CIO has almost three decades of experience in banking, asset management and financial strategy.

REYL Intesa Sanpaolo has appointed Nicolas Besson (pictured) as chief investment officer.

Based in Geneva, Besson is replacing Cédric Ozazman who recently left REYL, the firm told this publication when asked about the matter.

Besson has 28 years of experience in banking, asset management and financial strategy. He acquired his extensive expertise at Unigestion, Republic National Bank of New York, LODH Group, where he was global co-head of fixed income, and then at HSBC Private Banking as head of bond management and strategy in Geneva. After a short period at Credit Suisse, he joined REYL & Cie in 2015 as head of fixed income and senior portfolio manager, before becoming deputy CIO.

In addition to overseeing investment activities, Besson will focus on developing a platform of collective investment products and advisory services, as well as the full integration of impact investing principles in collaboration with Jon Duncan, the bank’s chief impact officer.

Besson, who holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Geneva, continued his studies at AZEK where he obtained a federal diploma in financial analysis and portfolio management.