In his new role, Salawi will be responsible for leading the regional business while capitalising on the expertise of the private bank's teams in Geneva, Zurich, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi as well as the capabilities of Crédit Agricole’s investment banking and asset management (Amundi) teams.

The appointment follows the opening of a new Indosuez branch in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) in October 2022 and the recruitment of Vanik Baghramian as senior executive officer of the branch, the firm said in a statement.

The new branch, which operates under the regulatory requirements of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), complements the bank's Abu Dhabi representative office which is governed by the Central Bank of UAE.

“His extensive experience and multi-faceted skill set make him the ideal leader to capitalise on these opportunities, strengthen our presence in the region, and deliver exceptional client experiences,” Isabelle Jacob-Nebout, Indosuez head of wealth management in Switzerland, the Middle East and Asia, said.