Credit Suisse in Guernsey has announced the appointment of Glen Tonks as Chief Operating Officer and James Parker as Chief Risk Officer. Both roles form part of the senior management team in Guernsey.
As Chief Operating Officer, Glen will have operational oversight of the operational and technology teams in Guernsey. He will also lead the client-focused strategy and drive digital transformation, ensuring the workforce is skilled for the changing environment. He brings with him considerable experience across global banking and financial services, having spent more than 24 years working in retail banking, wealth management, asset management, commercial and private banking.
As Chief Risk Officer, James will oversee risk management in Guernsey, including managing risk and compliance on major transformation projects. He is an experienced risk management and compliance functions leader and has spent his career working in the US, UK and EU across the financial services sector, from regulated businesses in investment banking to Fintech in AIM-listed sectors.
Paul Annegarn, Branch Manager said: “I am delighted to welcome Glen and James to Credit Suisse and their families to the wonderful island of Guernsey. As we continue to invest in Credit Suisse locally, they bring exactly the right skills and experience to help us grow and develop our business.”
Commenting on his appointment, Glen said: “I love the Channel Islands and having previously worked in Jersey, I jumped at the opportunity to relocate to Guernsey. This is a pivotal time for the financial services industry.
“The reality is that FinTechs can no longer be considered disruptors; they are the new norm and this will only accelerate as the world moves forward with embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence. I am looking forward to driving a client-centric, digital-first approach to build compelling strategies across operations, on-boarding, and regulation, to further enable us to be a leading offshore platform”.
Discussing his appointment, James commented: “I am delighted to be joining Credit Suisse, a market leader in its sector. Further, I am looking forward to supporting Glen and CEO Paul Annegarn in their vision to grow the bank locally, helping to bring a commercial approach to risk appetite whilst working within Guernsey’s regulatory framework.”
Glen’s expertise in strategy and people leadership includes mentoring and coaching, leveraging technology and digital transformation and championing diversity and strategic partnerships. A keen sportsman, he was an international rower for New Zealand and a national champion in multiple rowing disciplines, including rowing internationally in the 1996 World Championships in Scotland.
James has previously provided key advisory services to the digital asset services industry including a number of the largest social media companies. He has experience in strategic transformational change management and in implementing automated risk systems within the investment banking sector. This includes in-depth experience in transforming the risk functions of some of the world’s leading financial institutions, startups and growth companies.
Glen and James relocated to Guernsey from New Zealand the UK, respectively.
