As head of family business and philanthropy at Coutts & Co, Mark advises private clients on matters such as managing succession and effective giving to charity. He also runs various education and networking events, and helps design new products and services. Mark studied Arabic and Hebrew at Exeter University.
What makes a great private banker?
Someone who can develop a trusted relationship with clients. You need to be able to listen, empathise, ask the right questions, anticipate issues and understand the specific needs of the client to deliver the right solutions.
Is it all about lunching with rich clients in Monte Carlo?
Lunch is sometimes involved but Coutts has first class dining rooms, so there's no need to go all the way to Monte Carlo! It's all part of getting to know clients personally.
What does a typical week involve?
One minute I am helping a client to set-up a charitable foundation; the next, considering different charitable projects to support in India – and the next, I am making a presentation at a charity conference on raising funds from high net worth individuals. At the same time, I might also be talking to a family business owner about setting up a family council, appointing a non-executive director or raising liquidity from the company and resolving a family conflict.
When I am not doing all that, and in between running various roundtable discussions on philanthropy and family business matters, I am managing the Coutts Prize for Family Business – the industry's Oscars.
What's the most interesting thing about your job?
Bringing private clients, professional advisers, social entrepen-eurs and charities together to make the world a better place.
And which part could you life without?
Anything to do with administration and paperwork.
Mark's tips
- Surf as many private bank websites as you can.
- Try to get a summer internship at a private bank.
- Think about whether you prefer managing clients, designing products or dealing with systems. If you want to be good at your job, it is important you enjoy it.
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