Exotix, the premier frontier market investment banking boutique, is delighted to announce the appointment of emerging and frontier markets specialist Philip Southwell as chief executive officer. Philip, who will take up his role immediately, succeeds Matt Wreford, who will step down as CEO, but remain on the board of Exotix.

Exotix has offices in London, New York and Dubai and Philip will be based in the UAE in recognition of its growing status as an emerging and frontier markets hub.

Michael Spencer, a leading private investor in Exotix and CEO of ICAP plc, welcomed Philip’s appointment: “After a thorough and deliberate selection process, the board of directors is delighted that Philip will lead Exotix as we further develop our frontier and emerging markets strategy. Philip has the experience, contacts and skills to deliver a step change in the growth of the business.”

Matt Wreford said the appointment sent a strong signal to the market: “Philip is a strong leader with a passion for the emerging and frontier markets and deep understanding of the business. His track record of execution and strategic leadership, combined with his open-minded approach to problem solving will earn him the respect of employees, customers and partners worldwide. He has the right combination of knowledge, depth and experience to lead Exotix during this period of rapid growth and industry change in the emerging and frontier markets.”

Philip, 45, has held a series of leadership roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (and its predecessor firms), Deutsche Bank and EFG-Hermes. He has lived in the emerging markets for the majority of the last 20 years; first in the Asia-Pacific region and currently in the Middle East and Africa region.

Philip’s arrival will build on Exotix’s leading market positions in sales, trading, research and advisory across fixed income and equities in frontier markets, positioning it for further growth in capital markets and in the Middle East and African regions. Philip said he was honoured by the opportunity to lead Exotix: “Exotix has tremendous talent, and a history of excellence in emerging and frontier markets. I look forward to working with Peter Bartlett, Andrew Chappell and the rest of the leadership team and employees worldwide as we continue to champion the opportunities presented in the emerging and frontier markets.”

Since leaving Bank of America Merrill Lynch last year Southwell has built an asset management team focused on emerging market infrastructure debt.  That team is based in the UAE and will also join Exotix.