Nossa Equipe

Joakim founded Octogone Gestion in 1995 with Gilles Lambotte and Urs Hodler. The three met while working at Bearbull in Geneva Switzerland. Previously he worked for the Swiss private bank, Ferrier Lullin & Cie, as a Portfolio Manager. Prior to that he worked in Norway, at the Investment Department of Orkla Borregaard, a major Norwegian financial and industrial corporation. He began his professional career by working for Brown Brothers Harriman, in New York. Joakim graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, with a bachelor degree in Economics.

Gilles founded Octogone Gestion in 1995 with Joakim Lehmkuhl and Urs Hodler. From 1981 to 1995, he worked at Bearbull as Portfolio Manager. At Bearbull he became a member of the Investment Product Committee before joining the company’s board. Prior to that, he spent several years in the USA with U.M.C. Industries as Assistant Vice President in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department, after a year with Paribas and two years with the French Foreign Service in the Middle East. Gilles graduated from the University of Geneva, with a degree in Economics.

James joined Octogone Group as a partner in 2014 and is currently based in Miami. He started his career at Chase Asset Management in New York as a portfolio manager and a member of the investment policy committee for institutional and private banking clients. He was sent to Switzerland and became the Senior Investment Officer for Latin America and Southern Europe as well as running US Dollar strategy. After that he joined the investment boutique Guyerzeller Bank as head of Latin America and was in charge of building their institutional and asset management business in the region. When Guyerzeller Bank was acquired by HSBC he was made Business Sector head and Managing Director for the Southern Cone for HSBC in Latin America. James obtained bachelor degrees in International Economics and Finance as well as Italian Literature from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and University of Urbino, Italy.

Manuel has over 30 years of experience providing advisory, portfolio management and fund management services to institutions, family offices and HNWI. Manuel joined Octogone Gestion, first as a consultant in 2010, before becoming a partner in 2013. Prior to joining the Octogone Group, he spent one year as a partner of Notz, Stucki & Cie, a Geneva based independent asset manager. Previously he worked for 19 years for the Santander Group where he was first responsible for building the portfolio management activity for the Wealth Management division. In 2001 he founded an investment management company, within the asset management division to develop the hedge fund activity for the Santander Group. This business unit led and managed by Manuel, was managing over $11 billion with 75 professionals in Geneva, London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and Madrid, when he left in mid-2008. Prior to joining the Santander Group, he worked as a fixed income trader and portfolio manager in JP Morgan in Geneva, after completing JP Morgan’s training program in NY and working there for two years. Previously, Manuel graduated with an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Faraz Sultan became a partner in 2021 after joining Octogone at the beginning of 2020. Previously, from 2016 to 2019, Faraz was Co-Chief Investment Officer of HBK Investment Advisory SA, a multi-family office based in Geneva focused on multi-asset class investing. Prior to that, Faraz participated in launching a start-up asset management business called Massena Investments Limited. Previously, Faraz had a very successful career at HSBC Alternative Investments, where was global head of portfolio management from 2006 to 2015, and was responsible for the management of a team of portfolio managers based in multiple jurisdictions. Prior to HSBC, Faraz worked as senior PM at Atlas Capital. Faraz graduated from University College London (UCL) in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He then joined the graduate training program at Cigna Investment Management during which he obtained his Investment Management Certificate.

Alexis became a Partner of Octogone in 2021. He joined Octogone Gestion in 2013, from Pictet & Cie SA in Geneva, where he had held various positions since 2004. He acted first as a Senior Sales Executive for the Global Market Sales team and then worked as a trader for the Equity Derivatives team before transferring to Pictet Alternative Investments, where he worked as a Hedge Fund advisor. In 2010, Alexis joined Pictet Asset Management to co-launch and co-manage a Global Long/Short Equity Fund called Kronos and held these responsibilities until July 2013. Prior to that, he was an Institutional Sales executive for global equities with an independent equity broker in Paris and a Junior Sales Trader on European markets for ABN AMRO in Paris. Alexis has an undergraduate degree in International Affairs from the American University of Paris.

David has became a Partner of Octogone in 2021. He joined Octogone Gestion in 2018, having previously worked at Edmond de Rothschild (Suisse) SA – Private Banking, were he held the position of Director between 2004 and 2018. Prior to that, he was an equity broker for six years at Global Equities, Paris. He began his career as Financial Analyst at ABN AMRO in Paris and Société Générale in New-York. David holds an MBA and an undergraduate degree with a major in finance from Pace University, New York.

Jean-Marc joined Octogone in September 2013 as Group Managing Director and member of the board. Prior to that, he spent five years as a member of the Executive Committee of the Banque de Dépôts et de Gestion, a subsidiary of the UBI Banca di Banche Italiane Group, where he held various leadership roles, particularly finance and relations with regulators. He previously worked as manager of a Family Office in Geneva, after spending six years with Schindler and several years at KPMG in Geneva and Zurich. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the University of Lausanne (Faculty of Hautes Etudes Commerciales) and a Bachelor of Law in Swiss Law (Blaw). Jean-Marc is also the Director of Fininvesta SA.

Ivan has a large experience in the banking industry and Independent Asset Manager market with over 25 years of practice. He joined Octogone in October 2022 as Octogone Gestion CEO. Prior to that, he has been a cornerstone at Pictet Asset Services (Pictet & Cie SA) for 14 years, significantly growing the business under his leadership. Ivan also contributed to building a very talented team, which demonstrates exceptional commitment to client servicing and a fantastic team spirit, as Market Head for the French speaking market. Previously, from 2001 to 2008, he launched the department for Independent Asset Managers at SG Private Banking (Suisse) SA in 2003, after being Head of the Client Register and Compliance. Ivan started his career at Ernst & Young SA as auditor for the banking industry for 5 years. He graduated with a Master in Econometrics and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Geneva.

George joined Octogone Fund Management Limited in January 2019, after spending 5 years with Andbank Bahamas as Relationship Manager and Deputy Managing Director. Prior to that, between 2006 and 2014 he was a Relationship Manager and a Director of UBS (Bahamas) Limited in Nassau. From 2000 to 2006 he was an Associate Director at Banca del Gottardo’s Bahamas branch. George holds a BA in economics from College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Massachusetts, USA, the International Diploma in Compliance and Anti Money Laundering from ICA, and a Wealth Management MBA from Manchester University in the UK.

Philipp joined Octogone Group in 2022 as Portfolio Manager and is in charge of the Office in Dubai as Senior Executive Officer. He started his career at Credit Suisse in Switzerland and in Dubai in trading and advisory until 2010. Thereafter he joined HSBC Private Bank in Dubai to head their investment advisory team in the whole Middle East and then merged into a Senior Relationship Manager position. From 2015 to 2021, he held the position of Managing Director of the Middle East Team at LGT Private Bank Middle East Ltd, Dubai, focusing on Middle Eastern and European clients. Philipp holds a Master of Finance and Economics from the University of Berne and is a Certified Wealth Management Advisor by SAQ Swiss Association for Quality.

François joined Octogone in May 2023 as Group Chief Financial Officer. He has a large experience in the Private Banking industry with over 18 years of practice. From 2016 to 2023, François was Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Société Générale Private Banking (Suisse) SA, where he made a substantial contribution to the bank and Finance division transformation, strategic plan and supporting the business line key stakeholders. Prior to that, François worked at J.P. Morgan International Bank Ltd as Head of Finance for the Private Banking EMEA covering UK, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and oversight as well as the Asian market. From 2005 to 2009, he worked as a Legal Entity Controller for J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA, where he was responsible for the integrity of financial statement and regulatory reporting with FINMA compliance and Group requirements. François started his career at Ernst & Young, where he worked in the Advisory Services Group. He holds an MBA at Geneva School of Economics and Management of the University of Geneva.

Veronica joined Octogone in 2017. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Trust Officer for Butterfield Trust (Switzerland) Ltd. in Geneva for nearly three years and spent seven years in Zurich, where she worked for Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. and Cititrust (Switzerland) Ltd. as a Senior Trust Officer. Veronica started her carreer in trust with Barclaytrust (Switzerland) Ltd. in Geneva, where she stayed three years. Veronica holds a Master in Law from the University of Lausanne and Zurich.

Christophe joined Octogone Gestion in 2006 from Notz, Stucki & Cie. From 2006 to 2022, he was a partner at Octogone. From 1986 to 2000, he worked for Lombard Odier in Geneva, where he co-founded the Department of Alternative Investments before moving to the Private Portfolio Management Division in 1994. Prior to this, he spent five years with Dow Chemical Mideast Africa in Geneva and Dow Chemical Europe in Zurich. Christophe is a Chemical Engineering graduate from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale of Lausanne and previously obtained an Economics degree from the University of Geneva.

Santiago co-founded in 2003 Independent Financial Managers SA. in Geneva, whose activities were combined with the ones of Octogone Gestion in 2012. Prior to that, he joined Banco Santander (Switzerland) first as an account manager in the International Private Banking division in 1992 and then spent two years in Buenos Aires as Deputy Representative, after managing private clients for several years at Paribas and Credit Suisse in Geneva. Santiago is a Commercial and Industrial Sciences graduate from the University of Geneva.

Oscar has been a Relationship Manager at Octogone Gestion since 2013. Prior to that, he worked for the UHNWI Latam’s department at HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA and five years with Independent Financial Managers SA in Geneva. Oscar is a graduate in Business Economics from the University of Applied Sciences of Economics in Lausanne.

Volker joined Octogone NA in August 2020. Previously, he served as the Director Representative and Office Head for UBS AG in Colombia for 8 years. He has over 16 years of private banking experience, working in leading roles with private banks of distinguished reputations like Merrill Lynch, Wegelin & Co. and UBS AG managing Ultra High Net-Worth families in Colombia and Mexico. Volker holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universidad de la Sabana with a combined degree from the University in Colombia and FH Muenster: University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Sebastian joined Octogone NA in 2020. Previously, he was Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager for Clairmont Advisors, where he worked since its inception. Prior to that, he worked as Director covering High Net Worth families in Latin America for UBS Private Bank and he managed Colombia Capital, a new issuer development program, for the Colombian stock exchange. From 2008 to 2011, Sebastian worked as an Associate at SG Hambros Bank & Trust (Bahamas) advising HNW individuals and families on wealth management structures and investment strategies. He holds a B.S. from Universidad de los Andes in Bogota in Business Administration (2005), a Master’s in Advanced Finance from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain (2011) and an Executive MBA from Cornell University (2015). A Colombian national, Sebastian speaks fluent Spanish and English.

Florent joined the Octogone Group in 2015, initially as a junior analyst and then becoming a Portfolio Manager/Analyst in 2020. Prior to joining the Octogone Group, he was a member of the Junior Entreprise HEC in Lausanne, where he managed mandates between businesses and students. Previously he did an internship with Genesis Burson-Marsteller in Gurgaon in India, a Public Relation consulting firm, where he assisted the client servicing team. Florent holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Lausanne (HEC).

Anita joint Octogone NA in July of 2020. Previously, she was a Senior Client Advisor at Clairmont Advisors, where she started in April of 2019, after retiring from 35 years working for Citibank. Prior to joining Clairmont Advisors Anita worked at Citi Private Bank in Miami, covering ultra high network clients from Venezuela. In her role as Director and Private Banker she worked closely with investment counselors and investment specialists in bringing to bear the full spectrum of Citi products and services including, investment management, derivatives, structured notes, trust services, lending, foreign exchange, and alternative investments. Anita holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses. Anita began her career at Citi in 1984, when she joined the local branch of Citi in Mar del Plata, Argentina. In 1990 she relocated to New York to Citi International Personal Banking and in 1994 she joined Citi Private Bank as a Service Officer working with the unit head. In 1997, she moved to Miami where she later became a Private Banker in 1998. Anita received her MS in Biology from Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata and an MS in Finance from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University.

Zoran joined Octogone in October 2022 as a Portfolio Manager. After studying Hospitality Management at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne, and International Relations at Regent's University; he started his career at The Business Year, researching and producing investor-guides for Emerging Markets. He conducted research-led missions in Mozambique, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. Following that, he moved into a Real Estate development role at Royal Phuket Marina in Thailand. After completing his MBA at IE Business School in Madrid, he joined UBS where he covered Turkey and other Emerging Markets based out of Geneva and Zurich.

Uilma has over 25 years of experience in the financial markets. After graduating with a bachelor degree in finance and accounting in Brazil, she moved to Switzerland. She started her career in Switzerland at American Express in Geneva, before joining Merrill Lynch Private Bank (Suisse) SA. She later joined HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA and subsequently worked as a senior relationship manager at BNP Paribas. Before joining Octogone Gestion, she worked as Portfolio Manager for Sartus Capital in Geneva. Uilma has lived in Geneva for 25 years.

Pierre joined Octogone Gestion (Geneva) in 2012 as a Senior Portfolio Manager, after the combination of Octogone Gestion and Independent Financial Managers SA (Geneva), where he worked before. Prior to that, he spent seven years at Mirabaud Gestion Privée SAM (part of Mirabaud Group) in Monaco, as the Managing Director. Previously, he held for eleven years, various management positions within the Private Banking department of CFM Monaco (part of Crédit Agricole Group) and had begun his career with Ecuador’s Banco de Crédito in Ecuador as director of personal and commercial banking. Pierre holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia).

Niccolo joined Octogone Gestion in 2020. Previously he worked for some family offices and Wealth Management companies in Italy and Monaco, and for some international banks like HSBC and ABN AMRO. In 2007 and 2008 he was a Founding Partner and responsible for the opening of the institutional French brokerage activities of SAL. OPPENHEIM FRANCE. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Major in International Relations and Economics, from the American University of Paris.

Felipe joined Octogone Gestion in 2017 and Fininvesta in 2020. Previously he spent five years at Edmond de Rothschild in Geneva, where he actively worked developing the LATAM private wealth management department. Prior to that he spent seven years at Safra Group, first in Miami as a Vice President in wealth management and later in Geneva as a portfolio manager for the LATAM region. Earlier he worked for 2 years at BSI Investment Advisory in Miami as a portfolio manager and member of the investment committee. Before that he moved to Rio de Janeiro where he worked for three years at SOTEP SA, a company involved in the oil sector, as new business developments. He started his professional career working for eight years at ABN AMRO Bank in Miami as a relationship manager within the private banking department. He holds a Bachelor degree in Business Management and Organization from the University of Miami.

Alfonso joined Octogone in June 2012, following the merger of Octogone Gestion and Independent Financial Managers SA (Geneva), which he had co-founded in 2003. Prior to this, he spent two years at Ferrier Lullin & Cie and two years at Banque Notz & Stucki as Deputy Head of Relationship Management for Private Banking, before the two banks finally merged. Prior to this, he worked for several years at Banco Santander (Switzerland) in senior positions within the International Private Banking division, and began his career at UBS. Alfonso holds a degree in economics from the University of Geneva.

Blanca joined Octogone NA, Inc. in Miami in 2020 as Senior Client Advisor. She brings over 25 years of experience in the family office, mutual fund structures and financial services industry. She was an integral part of the operational and executive management of PRS Group, a Miami and Cayman Islands-based multi-family office which she joined in 1985. In 2007, she held the role of Managing Director and Senior Client Relationship Officer at EFG International (previously PRS Group). In 2018 she joined Clairmont Advisors as Partner and Senior Client Advisor, a multi-family office in Miami until 2020. Blanca graduated with honors from the “Instituto Panamericano” in Panama with a bilingual bachelor’s degree in business, specializing in accounting. She also has a degree in computer science from the University of Panama.

Javier joined Fininvesta in 2020 as Junior Portfolio Manager. Prior to that, he spent seven years as Senior Relationship Manager at Julius Baer Bank (Geneva). He started his career in 2004 at Banco Santander Suisse SA covering high and ultra-high net worth Latin American clients. He is Certified Wealth Management Advisor (SAQ – CWMA).

Desi joined Octogone Gestion as a Junior Portfolio Manager in 2021 covering ultra-high net worth clients from the Middle East. In his prior role, he spent four years as a Portfolio and Fund Analyst at HBK Investment Advisory SA, a multi-family office based in Geneva focused on multi-asset class investing. He started his career in 2004 at Bank Syz Geneva within the Data Management as a Team Leader, where he took part in the development and successful launch of a Hedge fund pricing information system. From 2007-2015, he then held various senior roles within the operation and investment management of alternative asset class at Gottex Funds Management (Lumx Group) and Harcourt Investment Consulting AG (Vontobel Group) based in Zurich. He studied HEC Business Administration at the University of Geneva and holds a Professional diploma in Management from the Open University Business School. In 2020, he obtained an Investment Management Specialization from the University of Geneva.

Hunter joined Octogone North America in 2021 as a Portfolio Manager. Previously, he held the positions of investment analyst at Water Walker Investment, and financial consultant at Joseph Gunnar & Co. Hunter hold a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Hofstra University, Frank G. Zarb School of Business Hempstead, NY, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Business from Hofstra University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hempstead, NY.

Grégory joined Octogone in 2016, after advising private individuals and family offices on cross assets investments for several years. Prior to that he worked as a physical and paper oil trader between 2002 and 2011 in a major oil trading company, after spending a few years with Deutsche Bank in corporate finance and Chase Bank in London in the Debt Capital Markets department as an analyst. Gregory is a graduate from EBS London with a BA (major in Economics).

Manuel joined Octogone in June 2012, following the merger of Octogone Gestion and Independent Financial Managers SA (Geneva), which he had co-founded in 2003. Prior to this, he spent two years at Ferrier Lullin & Cie and two years at Banque Notz & Stucki as Deputy Head of Relationship Management for Private Banking, before the two banks finally merged. Prior to this, he worked for several years at Banco Santander (Switzerland) in senior positions within the International Private Banking division, and began his career at Credit Suisse. Manuel holds a degree in economics from the University of Geneva.

Eric joined Octogone Group in 2022 as Portfolio Manager. He started his career in 2004 at Clariden Bank, Zurich. In 2008, Eric joined LGT Group, where he worked 8 years for the LATAM department in Zurich. From 2016 – 2021 he worked for the Middle East Team at LGT (Middle East) Ltd., in Dubai, where he focused on Middle Eastern and European clients. Eric holds a Banking & Finance Degree, SwissBanking HFBF, of Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Zurich, a CFA Investment Foundation Diploma and is a Certified Crypto Finance Expert by SAQ Swiss Association for Quality.

Marlon joined Octogone Gestion Sàrl in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2023 following a 15-year career in London and Dubai. Previously, Marlon worked for 7 years at UBS Wealth Management, London, UK. He was responsible managing assets for high and ultra-high networth individuals and families in the MENA region. Prior to that, he started his career at Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, UAE in July 2008 under the International Graduate program, Corporate Banking department. Following 4 years in the Corporate Bank working as a relationship manager covering GCC clients, he joined Standard Chartered Private Bank in April 2012 for 4 years, to focus on the GCC and Levant Market. Marlon graduated from HEC Montreal, Canada with a Master’s Degree in Management, High Distinction. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering with Summa Cum Laude from Notre Dame University, Lebanon.

Juan joined Octogone Gestion in 2021 as a Portfolio Manager. Prior to that, he worked from 2012 to 2020 as a Relationship Manager at LGT Bank (Suisse) SA, covering high and ultra-high net worth European clients. He started his career in 2007 at bank Clariden Leu Ltd as a Junior Relationship Manager. Juan holds a master in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and is a Certified Wealth Management Advisor (SAQ – CWMA).

Régis Muletier has over 30 years of experience providing advisory services and discretionary portfolio management to institutions, family offices and HNWI. Régis joined Octogone in 2017. Previously he worked for Notz, Stucki, a Geneva based independent asset manager. At Notz, Stucki he was Co-CIO of alternative investments in charge of the advisory business and a member of the investment committee. In 2000 he set up his own company, which was taken over by Notz Stucki in 2009. Beforehand, Régis worked for JP Morgan. At JPM he founded the advisory hedge fund business and founded JPM’s Absolute Return Products Group, which he managed for eleven years until 2000. As Global Head, he was responsible for all hedge fund advisory services provided to international and institutional clients at JPM. He also served as CIO, Head of Research and Chairman of the Investment Committee of J.P. Morgan’s Luxembourg funds of hedge funds. Previously, he was a client advisor and trader at Unigestion SA and a currency trader at Chase Manhattan Bank.

Maria joined Octogone in January 2013. Previously, she spent twenty years in Banco Santander (Suisse), Geneva, where she held various functions: head of human resources, head of marketing and publications for the Santander Private Banking (International division). She started in Santander as a junior portfolio manager. Maria holds a Certified Public Accounting degree, from the Faculty for Economic Sciences of the University of Cordoba, Argentina.

Sibilla joined Octogone Gestion in January 2019, after working for three years as a freelance Communications Adviser. Prior to that, she worked for more than fifteen years as Communications and Project Manager for various Geneva based foundations, active in the field of finance. Sibilla holds a Master in Arts (Languages and Literature) from the University of Geneva, and a Brevet fédéral in Public Relations.

Aurélie joined Octogone as Compliance Officer on March 2020, after working as Manager in Compliance for the Geneva Compliance Group (Switzerland) SA. Prior to that, she works almost 10 years in the trust industry. She was Head of Swiss Compliance and trust officer for the trust company Geneva Management Group (Switzerland) SA after staying three years as Senior Trust Officer TEP at Horizon Trustees (Suisse) SA. She started her career in trust as Trust Assistant for Rothschild Trust (Switzerland). Aurélie studied Management, Economics and Accounting at HEG in Geneva, she is a fully qualified STEP Member and obtained the Compliance officer Diploma at VisionCompliance in 2018.

Edouard joined Octogone as Chief Risk Officer in August 2023, following 15 years in different risk management positions in Geneva. He started his career at Société Générale Private Banking (Suisse) SA as an Operational Risk officer. After 6 years, he became Risk officer at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA for implementing an internal control framework on Compliance processes for both the corporate bank and the private bank. Finally, still at BNP, he joined the ALM Treasury department as a quantitative analyst for managing liquidity risks and interest rate risks. Edouard graduated from Toulouse Business School, France with a Master's Degree in Financial Management.

Gabriela worked in private banking (Citibank) and money transfer (Intermex) as a department head. She is currently responsible for all client due diligence and onboarding, as well as all regulatory and compliance matters and liaison with custodians and clientele for reporting, documentation and KYC. Gabriela is a Graduate of Florida International University (BS, MS Finance) and licensed Series 65.