Mirabaud Names Ricardo Castillo Head of Investments for Wealth Unit
Geneva private bank taps industry veteran to oversee discretionary management and advisory operations
Geneva-based Mirabaud & Cie SA has brought Ricardo Castillo on board as head of investments, placing him at the helm of the private bank’s investment committee effective July 1. Castillo will direct all discretionary management and advisory activities while reporting to CEO Camille Vial.
The appointment consolidates investment leadership under a single executive backed by a multidisciplinary team. Mirabaud appointed new head of investments Castillo to coordinate financial research operations led by Khaled Louhichi alongside the group’s economic and analysis resources.
“We are delighted to welcome Ricardo Castillo as head of investments for our wealth management business,” Vial said in a statement. “His leadership, expertise in discretionary management and knowledge of international markets are assets that we will put at the service of our clients.”
The move reinforces Mirabaud’s investment approach centered on independence, conviction and active management principles. For a bank tracing its roots to 1819, maintaining distinct investment methodologies remains central to client value propositions in competitive wealth management markets.
Castillo expressed enthusiasm about developing customized asset management solutions aligned with the firm’s investment philosophy. “I am honored to join Mirabaud and the talented team in the investment division,” he said.
The appointment follows other recent leadership moves across Mirabaud’s operations. Émilie Serrurier-Hoël took over as CEO of the European entity in June, while the bank added Carlo Thill to its Luxembourg board in March.
Wealth managers face intensifying competition for client assets amid changing market conditions and evolving investor expectations. Banks differentiate through investment performance, service quality and specialized capabilities that extend beyond standard portfolio construction.
Mirabaud’s investment division operates within a broader organizational structure that includes wealth management and asset management divisions. The firm employs around 700 people globally with offices spanning Switzerland, Europe and international markets including Montreal, Dubai and São Paulo.
The bank maintains partnerships and alliances to expand service offerings. A July agreement with Oquendo Corporate enables Mirabaud to provide mergers and acquisitions advisory services to private clients and family offices in Spain, addressing corporate transitions and succession planning needs.
Investment committee leadership plays a critical role in shaping portfolio strategies and asset allocation decisions that ultimately determine client outcomes. Castillo’s mandate includes overseeing both discretionary mandates where the bank makes investment decisions and advisory relationships where clients retain final authority.
Financial research capabilities support investment decisions through market analysis, security selection and risk assessment. The integration of research resources under centralized investment leadership aims to improve coordination and decision-making efficiency.
Active management remains a defining characteristic of Mirabaud’s approach despite industry trends toward passive strategies and index tracking. The bank maintains conviction in selecting individual securities and adjusting portfolios based on market conditions and opportunities.
Private banking clients increasingly expect sophisticated investment capabilities combined with personalized service delivery. Relationship managers collaborate with investment specialists to construct portfolios matching individual risk profiles, return objectives and liquidity requirements.
For family-owned wealth managers like Mirabaud, investment performance directly impacts reputation and client retention across generations. The four managing partners—Camille Vial, Yves Mirabaud, Nicolas Mirabaud and Lionel Aeschlimann—maintain ownership stakes and involvement in daily operations.
Castillo’s appointment adds depth to investment leadership at a time when market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty complicate portfolio management. His international markets experience provides perspective on global investment opportunities and cross-border wealth structuring.
The bank continues pursuing growth through both organic expansion and selective partnerships. Recent cultural initiatives include renewed support for the Centre Pompidou in Paris, extending a partnership that began in 2022 for three additional years.
Mirabaud’s investment platform serves private clients alongside institutional mandates through its asset management division. Coordination between divisions enables cross-pollination of research insights and investment ideas while maintaining appropriate client segmentation.