Succession planning is a strong focus and a global practice at Lombard Odier but it’s rooted in Europe, and this year it is Western Europe’s best for succession planning. The wealth-planning team comprises a group of 60 experts worldwide, a large portion of them based in Western Europe – which reflects Lombard Odier’s group headquarters in Switzerland. The goal is to nurture the firm’s capacity to deliver specialised and comprehensive services for its clients.

CaixaBank continues to lead by example, combining innovative digital solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and a client-centric approach to manage and grow wealth responsibly.

UBS delivered outstanding financial performance and client satisfaction over the review period, driven by successful integration efforts, distinctive ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) offerings, and an ability to engage next-generation clients.

Lombard Odier, which wins this year’s award for Western Europe’s best chief investment office (CIO), has taken a proactive approach to managing its CIO office over the past two years – an approach which is showing results.

Standard Chartered's private banking business in the UK has seen notable growth and strategic developments over the past year.

ADCB Private and Wealth Management has demonstrated excellent financial growth, commitment to sustainability and digital innovation over the review period.

Lombard Odier has secured its position as the Middle East’s best for discretionary portfolio management (DPM). Judges praised the bank's "very strong business proposition", particularly noting the "clear articulation of strategy, detailed coverage of team structure and very comprehensive coverage of impact in Middle East" which distinguished its submission.

Lombard Odier has cultivated a distinct presence in the Middle East, blending Swiss heritage with a deep understanding of regional values. The bank's excellence in private banking is driven by innovation, sustainability and bespoke client services, with judges particularly noting its strong focus on fund selection, digital solutions and alternative investments.

The best private banks and wealth managers have been honing the art of succession planning for generations. That is certainly true of Lombard Odier. Having been around for 230 years, in 2025 it walks away with the prize for the world’s best for succession planning.

Lombard Odier’s Michael Strobaek compares being the global chief investment officer of a private bank to being conductor of an orchestra. “I don’t play all the instruments – but I can certainly hear when they’re played wrong,” he tells Euromoney. “I know when something sounds right or wrong. And I have a very fine feel for how you communicate with clients.”

The wealth-management divisions of national-champion universal banks have won most of the regional private banking awards in Western Europe. But Lombard Odier offers a powerful reminder of the capabilities of a pure-play private bank, owned by its managing partners who follow a business model solely focused on managing their clients’ assets.

Lombard Odier takes home the award for Euromoney’s best pure play private bank in the Middle East this year. The Swiss firm has transformed its presence in the region over the last few years.

Discretionary portfolio management is an important part of Lombard Odier’s offering worldwide, and this is reflected in its business in the Middle East.

With the advent of its strategic alliance with Japan’s Mizuho Financial, Lombard Odier now has wealth management tie-ups in seven Asia countries, with the promise of more to come.