Rothschild & Cie Gestion, the funds arm of the family-owned private bank, has opened its first Swiss office and plans to deploy salesmen to handle Spain, Germany, Italy and potentially even the UK and the Middle East, as managing partner Jean-Louis Laurens sets out ambitious expansion plans for the years ahead.

Konstantin Nikiteas, a former colleague of Laurens' at Axa Investment Managers, joined recently as head of Northern European distribution and will now also take responsibility for the new office in Zurich. Rothschild & Cie Gestion has been given space there in the offices of the private bank.