Spear’s Review

James Whittaker joined Deutsche Bank in 2020, and in 2022 became head of UK wealth management and UK CEO. In 2024, his role was further expanded to cover the Nordic regions.

Since his appointment in 2022, Whittaker has said, the German bank’s UK private bank headcount has ‘tripled in size’. Deutsche Bank is known as ‘the big beast of UHNW coverage banking in the UK’, and Whittaker has set his sights on capturing an even bigger UHNW market through new hires and an increased focus on UHNW, family office and entrepreneurial clients. This should be easy pickings for the ex-head of UK UHNW at Swiss giant UBS. 

After decades in the private wealth sphere at senior level, Whittaker is now one of the region’s most respected financial leaders, backed by a private bank with global assets of €645 billion as at June 2025.

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Power List Profile

James Whittaker is Deutsche Bank’s head of wealth management UK and CEO of DB UK Ltd. He joined the bank in 2020 with a mandate to scale its wealth management presence in the UK and sharpen its focus on serving family offices, private equity professionals and entrepreneurs.

Under his leadership, the UK franchise has grown at pace, becoming one of the most dynamic and strategically important markets for Deutsche Bank Wealth Management globally. Since 2020, the business has tripled in size, reflecting both the strength of client demand and the bank’s commitment to delivering world-class advice and solutions.

The team has expanded its reach across the ultra-high-net-worth segment, supporting individuals and families with complex, cross-border needs and ambitions.

Deutsche Bank has also firmly established itself as the go-to address for sophisticated family office needs in the UK, offering tailored support across investment strategy, liquidity planning, governance and succession. This leadership was recognised with the Euromoney award for ‘Best for Family Offices’ in the UK last year – a testament to the depth of expertise and trust the team has built.

This momentum has been supported by continued investment in platform and product innovation, as well as talent. The team continues to grow thoughtfully, welcoming advisers who bring deep experience and a strong understanding of clients’ evolving priorities. The focus remains on quality, continuity and building long-term relationships that reflect the complexity and ambition of the clients served.

Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, James spent 14 years at UBS, where he led the UK ultra-high-net-worth division and served on the UK management committee. He began his career at Coutts.