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Private Banker & Desk Leadership Recruitment

Specialist executive search firm for hunter and farmer private bankers, Desk Heads, Heads of Market and Wealth Management client segment leaders.

Private bankers and desk leaders are the commercial engine of Wealth Management and represent the sector's most competitive recruitment market. Mobility is prepared over several months, key clients implicitly influence the decision, and non-solicitation and deferred compensation mechanisms frame each move. Haussmann Executive Search conducts these searches through systematic direct sourcing, with desk-by-desk and segment-by-segment talent mapping.

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Hunter or Farmer: Two Distinct Roles

The French private banking market clearly distinguishes between two profiles whose skills are not interchangeable. A hunter is assessed on their ability to generate new business, the strength and activity of their commercial network, their knowledge of entrepreneurs, business owners preparing to sell and referral networks, and their ability to convert an introduction into an investment mandate.

A farmer is assessed on the quality of their long-term client relationships, their in-depth understanding of their clients' overall wealth and their ability to support them through major life events (business sale, succession, gifting, expatriation and philanthropy). Confusing these two models is the leading cause of failed hires in this segment. Our role is to qualify the client's actual expectations before assessing candidates.

Desk Leadership & Client Segment Responsibilities

The Desk Head owns a P&L, a team and a client segment. They combine direct commercial activity across their own portfolio with management responsibility for their private bankers.
The Head of Market, meanwhile, leads a market segment defined by geography (resident, non-resident and expatriate clients, French-speaking corridors across Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Monaco), client profile (entrepreneurs, business owners, wealthy families, professional athletes and regulated professions) or wealth level. Our consultants qualify each position based on the target portfolio structure, net new money objectives, associated commercial budget and management autonomy.

Positions We Cover

  • Hunter and farmer Private Banker
  • Senior Relationship Manager and Senior Private Banker
  • Private Banker specialising in entrepreneurs, business owners preparing to sell, families, expatriates, professional athletes and regulated professions
  • Desk Head and Head of Market
  • Resident, Non-Resident or International Client Relationship Manager
  • Wealth Branch Director and Private Banking Site Director
  • Commercial Director and Wealth Business Development Director
  • Partnerships, Referral & Intermediary Manager
  • Senior Sector, Geographic or Client-Type Advisor