From academia to industry: closing the first ABBL Masterclass in Wealth Management

On Friday 23 January 2026, the ABBL Masterclass in Wealth Management concluded with a full day dedicated to soft skills, professional ethics and the transmission of values, hosted by Edmond de Rothschild (Europe) and followed by the official closing ceremony.

Reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the Master in Wealth Management at the University of Luxembourg, this first edition of the ABBL Masterclass was designed to bridge academic knowledge and industry practice, while offering students direct exposure to senior leaders from Luxembourg’s private banking sector.

A morning dedicated to soft skills and professional ethics

The morning session explored themes that are increasingly central to private banking and wealth management, including:

• managing potential conflicts of interest and vulnerable clients
• ethics in practice and alignment of interests
• philanthropy and long-term value creation
• heritage, storytelling and trust-building
• hospitality and the art of living as part of the client experience

The session was opened by Yves Stein, CEO of Edmond de Rothschild (Europe), and illustrated how soft skills, ethics and relational intelligence are becoming strategic assets in wealth management.

Participants then had the opportunity to continue discussions during a walking lunch and networking moment with CEOs and senior private banking professionals.

Closing ceremony: reflecting on the journey and looking ahead

The afternoon closing ceremony marked a key moment of reflection on the Masterclass journey.

In his opening remarks, Mario Pirola, CEO of Pictet & Cie (Europe), recalled the origins of the ABBL Masterclass and its ambition to support the next generation of wealth management professionals.

Riadh Khodri and Hélène Lange then revisited the project’s vision, highlighting how the programme was built step by step to combine academic foundations, practical insights and close interaction with industry mentors.

A keynote address by Olivier Gérard, Head of Private Banking at Société Générale Private Banking, offered a forward-looking perspective on wealth management over the next ten years, addressing:

• the evolving expectations of the client of 2035
• technology as an invisible but essential backbone
• the enduring importance of regulation, structure and trust
• what will fundamentally not change in the advisor–client relationship

The ceremony also gave the floor to students Emilie Tackla and Marvin Gläsner, who shared how the Masterclass had shaped their understanding of wealth management, trust-building and professional values.

Recognising commitment and building future careers

The event concluded with the distribution of participation certificates, symbolising the commitment of both students and mentors throughout the programme.

The ABBL Masterclass reflects the Association’s broader commitment to supporting talent development, strengthening ties between academia and the financial sector, and contributing to the long-term attractiveness of Luxembourg as a leading wealth management centre.

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This article was originally published on the ABBL website. Reprinted with permission.