Based in Dubai, Keni will drive the growth of the bank’s NRI and South Asia business in the Middle East. He will re-join RBS Coutts from Barclays Wealth where he was head of the NRI business in the UAE.

Between 2003 and 2008, Keni was part of the investment advisory team at RBS Coutts in Singapore; and later led the Middle East NRI initiative for the bank.

RBS Coutts Market Head of NRI and South Asia Ranjit Khanna said that the Middle East is an extremely important region for the bank as well as the NRI and South Asia business. With Santosh’s familiarity with the bank and his extensive knowledge of the Middle East markets, he is well placed to drive the efforts to establish the Middle East desk on the ground in the UAE.

RBS Coutts Global Head of Middle East James Fleming said that the bank see huge opportunities in the Middle East for expanding the wealth management business, underpinned by the strong economies and the natural resources wealth.

"Over the next few years, we aim to double our business and will invest significantly in our people resources and market reach in the region," Fleming said.