Hutchinson & Co Trust Company and Citadel Trustees have announced that Veranne Wilkinson has taken over as managing director of both Hutchinson and Citadel and all its other European Group companies.

Veranne Wilkinson

Wilkinson was born and educated in France where she graduated from the Université de Franche-Comté with a Masters Degree in Modern Languages and Business. Earlier in her career she spent some time with Clifford Chance in Paris.

Meanwhile, Paul Smythe will be reducing his activities as he moves towards semi retirement, but will remain involved in the Group’s expansion in the Far East, in his role as managing director, Asia. The Board has been further strengthened by the addition of Anna Rickard (Legal Services director), Raquel Gonzalez (Operations director) and Chris Allen (Sales & Marketing director).

Peter Hutchinson, chairman, said: “Veranne has been with Hutchinson for more than 10 years, having joined the Group in 1996. Her vast experience in providing our ever-extending services to the timeshare industry and beyond will stand her in good stead to move the Group forward with greater emphasis on financial products, including Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes, which Citadel has recently been authorised to operate by the Financial Services Authority.

“The Far East has played an increasing part in the Group’s activities over the last few years, a great deal of which has been as a result of Paul’s input and hard work. To call this a move towards semi retirement is, happily, somewhat of an exaggeration, as Paul, at least initially, will still be devoting four days a week to the Group’s activities.”

• For further information about Hutchinson & Co Trust Company Ltd, its subsidiary Citadel Trustees Ltd. and their range of bespoke services and activities, contact Chris Allen by email at chrisallen@hutchtrust.co.uk or, call the company’s UK Head Office on +44 (0)1276 482000.