Leading global trust, fund and corporate services provider, First Names Group, is pleased to announce two senior appointments within its Isle of Man office. Former Managing Director for the Isle of Man, Gary Hepburn, will be taking on a new role as Chief Operating Officer for the Group’s Private Client service line. In turn, Client Services Director Craig Brown will assume the role of Managing Director, Isle of Man. Both changes are effective immediately.

In his newly created role, Gary will be looking at all areas of the Private Client business to ensure it is in great shape to deliver against the Group’s long-term strategic objectives. Meanwhile, Craig will head up the Isle of Man office and its multiple client service teams.

Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry and worked in the UK, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands before moving to the Isle of Man with his family. Gary joined First Names Group’s Isle of Man business as Senior Manager in 2004 and progressed quickly through the ranks, achieving promotion to Managing Director in 2013. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers holding the Trustee Diploma, and is also a longstanding member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Last year, Gary was named in eprivateclient’s annual 50 Most Influential list.

Craig graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1991 and proceeded to add accounting and tax qualifications to his engineering background while working at a ‘Big Four’ accounting firm. He then spent 15 years as head of tax in various sectors and also five years as a director and MD of other Isle of Man corporate service providers before joining First Names Group in 2013.

Commenting on Gary and Craig’s new roles, Group Managing Director for Private Client at First Names Group, Mark Pesco, said:

“In order to deliver on our long-term strategic objectives we needed someone who truly knows the business inside and out overseeing our private client operations across the whole service line. The resulting new role of Chief Operating Officer for Private Client is a fantastic opportunity for Gary, and one that is richly deserved. Similarly, I am confident Craig will excel in taking over the role of Managing Director for the Isle of Man, given his technical expertise and the time, care and attention he dedicates to his clients and our people.

“As an organisation we pride ourselves in attracting and retaining top talent, and believe that promoting from within our own ranks whenever possible is the right thing for our business. As such, we were delighted to be able to appoint both Gary and Craig into their new positions and we wish them both well as they move in to the next chapters of their careers.”

Photo - Gary and Craig.