RBS beefs up equity derivatives distribution

The Royal Bank of Scotland has raided its rivals’ sales desks by hiring three directors in equity derivative sales to cover Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. The move signals the Edinburgh-headquartered bank’s intent on improving its distribution capabilities in continental Europe.

Annabelle Wegner will join as director of equity derivatives sales for Germany, having spent four years covering German clients at Morgan Stanley and previously three years in Deutsche Bank’s global equity group.

Francesco Cantone was appointed as director of equity derivatives sales for Italy, joining the Scottish bank from Merrill Lynch, where he had worked since 2000 in the equity structured solution group with responsibility for Italian clients.

Michael Nelskyla was hired as director of equity derivatives sales for Scandinavia, after four years at Société Générale, where he was responsible for equity derivatives structured products.

All three will be based in London and report to Geoffroy Wallier, head of equity derivatives structuring and marketing, and Sian Hurrell, head of structured solution sales at Royal Bank of Scotland.