Team

Luigi Cattaneo has over 25 years of banking and international financial markets experience. He started his career in 1996 at Accenture Milan as a business process engineer, working on IT restructuring projects and programming software applications. In 1997 he moved to banking as a business analyst in the business development and strategy unit of BSI S.A., the former private bank of Generali Insurance Group and now part of EFG International. After having completed his Masters Degree at London Business School in 2001, he focused on investment advisory and portfolio management for sophisticated clients. In 2006 he joined York Group, a hedge fund company with offices in NYC, Nassau and Rio de Janeiro, where he covered several roles: he managed a global macro proprietary book, set up the funds’ risk management and was in charge of special projects. Mr. Cattaneo has a Masters Degree in Management Engineering from Politecnico of Milan and is a CFA charter holder since 2004.

Dr. Al Saidi has a distinguished career as an economist, served as Economic Adviser and Director for various government organizations, central banks and financial institutions in the Arab countries, Europe and Central and Latin America. Mr. Al Saidi served as the Chief Economist of Dubai International Financial Centre from April 2006 to September 2012 and Head of External Relations from 2012 to September 2012. He was a Minister of Economy & Trade, and Minister of Industry of Lebanon from November 1998 to October 2000 and First Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon from 1993 to 2003. Dr. Al Saidi also pursued a career as an academic, as a Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago from 1977 to 1980, the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales (Geneva) and the Universite de Geneve from 1980 to 1985 and AUB. Dr. Al Saidi was the Founder and Executive Director of the Hawkamah-Institute for Corporate Governance at the DIFC from April 2006 to September 2012 and Co-Chairman of the MENA Corporate Governance Working Group since March 2004. Dr. Al Saidi has been a Non-Executive Director of Majid Al Futtaim since December 2008 and Future Pipe Industries since March 2008. He serves as a Director of Eureeca.com and served as the Deputy Chairman from December 2012 to November 2014. He served as a Member Board of Governors at International Corporate Governance Network from September 2011 to February, 2012. Dr. Al Saidi has a recent book, “Corporate Governance in the MENA countries: Improving Transparency & Disclosure“, and has published widely on macroeconomic, capital market development and international economic issues the region. Dr. Al Saidi holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester from 1974 to 1977, an M.Sc. in Economics from University College, London University in 1973 and a B.A. in Economics from the American University of Beirut in 1969.

Carlo Azzi is a veteran in the wealth management industry. He initially joined BSI - Banca della Svizzera Italiana in 1980 working in Switzerland, Japan and Hong Kong until 1989. Carlo subsequently moved to UBS in Lugano, Switzerland, where he was active in financial institutions relations within the international department until 1998. At the end of 1998 he opened the Lugano branch of Bank von Ernst & Cie., a subsidiary of the German Hypovereinsbank Group, active in the private banking sector. Carlo has also served as a member of the board of directors of Bank von Ernst (Monaco). From 2003 to 2005 he has worked for Corner Bank in Lugano, in the financial relations sector and in 2006 he joined Finter Bank Zuerich SA where he was branch manager in Switzerland. In 2009 he joined the Credit Suisse Group and transferred to Nassau, Bahamas, where he resided for 8 years and was active in private banking. He concluded his banking career in Nassau in 2018 at PIB-Private Investment Bank Ltd., a local private banking institution. Carlo studied at the Swiss School in Italy and he graduated in economics from Universita’ Commerciale L. Bocconi in Milan. He completed the US formal credit training at the New York branch of UBS. Carlo has the rank of captain in mountain infantry and engineers of the Swiss army. He is fluent in Italian, German, French, English and Spanish. Carlo has relocated to Florida in 2018.

Ricardo is recognized in the industry as a talented Financial Professional with 20 years of experience in Corporate and Retail Banking. Consistent achievements as a top producer - increasing revenues, portfolios, and profits through expertise in business development, relationship building, and exceptional service follow-up.
He began his banking career in Spain, and since then, his progress within the industry has been remarkable. In 2007 he landed in Miami to open Caja Mediterraneo Bank and later joined the ranks of Banco Sabadell, where his career continued to be remarkable. In 2014 Ricardo decided it was time to work independently by creating his own financial consultancy, First Global.
Since he arrived in Miami, he has been recognized by various local and international organizations in recognition of his work and his passion for helping his clients. Ricardo has a degree in International Economics and two master's degrees in Banking Management and International Taxation.