Leadership Shifts Across Canaccord, Berenberg and W1M

Canaccord Wealth has tapped industry veteran Adam Smith to serve as chief operating officer of its wealth planning division. Smith, who brings over 25 years of experience from roles at Quilter and Fairstone, will focus on enhancing operational effectiveness and client experience. Managing director Duncan Stratford highlighted the hire as a strategic move to capitalize on recent investments in the firm’s integrated wealth management proposition.

Meanwhile, Berenberg is preparing for a significant leadership transition. Gunnar Regier, a former managing director at JP Morgan with 28 years of tenure, will join the bank’s extended management board on January 1, 2027. Regier is set to lead the firm’s Investment Bank, a move backed by Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, who recently increased his stake in the Hamburg-based institution by acquiring a 5 percent shareholding.

W1M Wealth Management is shifting its focus toward emerging technology by appointing Wenyu Bai as its first head of AI. Bai, an industry expert with 18 years of experience, will oversee the firm-wide rollout of AI tools and governance strategies. Chief executive officer Guy McGlashan noted that the appointment is intended to scale the firm’s capabilities and manage growing complexity while maintaining high service standards for clients.