Stonehage Fleming appoints new CEO

Chris Merry, Group CEO at Stonehage Fleming

Stonehage Fleming, the leading independently owned international Family Office, today announces the appointment of a new Group Chief Executive Officer.

Formerly CEO of Ipes, a leading European provider of fund administration and outsourcing services, Chris Merry’s appointment is effective from 3 September 2019. He will be based in Stonehage Fleming’s London office.

Chris will be taking over from Giuseppe Ciucci, Stonehage Fleming Group CEO since 1997. Mr. Ciucci will remain in a full-time executive capacity as Managing Partner, concentrating first and foremost on serving existing clients as well as building new client relationships. He will also become Deputy Chairman of the Board, where he will continue to contribute to the strategic direction of the firm.

In a highly distinguished career that has spanned both financial and professional services businesses, Chris has a proven track record as an experienced and effective CEO. As well as his five-year tenure at Ipes, Chris has also served as CEO of RSM Tenon, the UK accounting firm later acquired by Baker Tilly, and at Matrix Group, a privately held boutique financial services firm. He was the Finance Director for Clifford Chance, a leading global law firm, prior to which he was a Partner at PwC, with experience in London, New York and Shanghai.

Giuseppe Ciucci, Managing Partner, Stonehage Fleming, said: “After 22 years as Group CEO the time is now right to appoint a new person to this role, to bring some fresh ideas and direction and enable me to concentrate first and foremost on serving our clients. It has given me great pride and pleasure to lead such a talented team in transforming our business into the leading European multi-family office.”

“We are delighted to have been able to appoint Chris as our new CEO. He will bring exceptional experience and vision to his new role at Stonehage Fleming. Importantly, he is widely known for his practical as well as his strategic skills, which are critical to a business like ours as we seek to expand upon our truly unique proposition and consolidate our leading position as advisers to wealthy international families.”

Stonehage Fleming Group CEO Chris Merry said: “Stonehage Fleming has a remarkable position in its market, and this has been endorsed by Caledonia’s decision to make such a significant investment in the future of the firm.”

“Stonehage Fleming has a strong culture, an enviable array of services and unrivalled experience in counselling families across the entirety of their wealth. Anchored by a founding family now in its sixth generation, the firm has also demonstrated its ability to understand the requirements of a contemporary audience. I am excited to work with a team that has redefined the modern Family Office.”