Board of Directors - River Merchant Capital

A team that delivers

Philip Watson - Independent, Non-Executive Chairman

After graduating with a BA(Econ honours) degree from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Philip Watson worked for 10 years as an analyst/fund manager for Robert Fleming and Co in London, Kuwait, and Paris. In 1982, he was the founding shareholder in a fund management company in London “TWH Management Ltd“ alongside Kuwaiti and Saudi shareholders.

In 1991, the Swiss Bank Mirabaud et Cie, bought 75% and the company was renamed Mirabaud Investment Management Ltd, and managed both institutional and private client portfolios with Philip as CEO.

In 2008, Mirabaud acquired Philip`s 25% shareholding in the London entity and he became CIO of Mirabaud Asset Management which include all the group`s institutional businesses worldwide. He retired from being CIO in 2017 and became a Non-Executive Director.

From 2009 to 2018 Philip was also a director of a FTSE 250 property company, London Metric Properties PLC.

Massimo Amato - Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director

Mr Amato has trained in Law, with a PhD from Pisa University in commercial and banking law, and in business finance with an MBA at Columbia University in New York. He has been a consultant at McKinsey & Co., and subsequently a professional banker for more than 30 years, operating in corporate, investment, and private banking. Mr. Amato has acted as CEO of IMI Bank and UBI Banca International S.A. in Luxembourg. He has taught a course of Governance and Ethics at the Master in Wealth Management of the Luxembourg University, and currently holds various mandates, approved by the European Central Bank, as an Independent Non-Executive Director in some European banks and financial institutions.

Piero Sansalone - Non-Independent, Non-executive Director

Mr. Sansalone began his career in corporate finance at Deloitte prior to joining KPMG. He has expertise in business analysis and valuation, as well as turnaround, restructuring and M&A. Between 2011 and 2013, Mr Sansalone worked for a Swiss family office, Leponte SA, where he was responsible for managing private equity investments. Until 2018, Mr Sansalone was in charge of the Private Equity and Real Estate activities as investment manager at Continental Investment Partners SA, a multi-family offices based in Lugano. Mr. Sansalone is currently an independent financial adviser and business consultant for SMEs, family offices and Private Equity funds. Mr. Sansalone holds an MSc in Administration Corporate Finance and Control and a BA in Business Administration From Luigi Bocconi University

Alfredo Caturano - Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director

With more than 22 years’ experience in Financial Market, Mr Caturano has covered several positions in the Corporate and Investment Banking industry mainly in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Spent most of his career in Corporate and Investment Banking at JP Morgan, combining more then 16 years between 2002 to 2009 and 2013 to date. Mr Caturano has achieved an MBA at Stoa’ Business School, and a Masters Degree in Business and Economics at Frederico II University in Naples, Italy.

Robert Dorey - Independent, Non-Executive Director

Mr Dorey has 25 years of experience in leading roles in marine and energy insurance, in companies such as Charles Taylor PLC and The Standard Syndicate 1884. Mr Dorey is the founder and current CEO of Astaara Company Limited, an industry-leader in cyber risk management with underwriting and analytics disciplines. Mr Dorey studied at the University of Southampton and the Inns of Court School of Law, after which he was called to the Bar. Mr Dorey is an approved person under both FCA and PRA standards.