Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Kim Morgan, Butterfield Trust, Switzerland
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Kim Morgan, Deputy Managing Director at Butterfield Trust, Switzerland.
What is your role?
I’m Deputy Managing Director of Butterfield Trust (Switzerland) Limited. I’m one of the people colleagues come to when something needs unpicking – whether it’s a client matter, a governance or regulatory question, supporting the wider leadership team or simply talking something through. I enjoy bringing people together, solving problems and helping move the business forward. That’s what keeps the role interesting.
How do you switch off outside work?
Home is my reset button. Spending time with my husband and daughters, whether we’re walking, skiing or simply together, is the best way I know to switch off and recharge.
What does a typical day look like?
My day starts with family logistics – making sure my daughters have everything they need before we walk to school. Then it’s onto the tram, a quick scan of overnight emails and into the office. From that point on, anything can happen. I could be meeting clients, discussing strategy, working through a regulatory issue or helping solve an operational challenge. No two days are the same, and that’s exactly what I enjoy.
What was the last piece of client work that really stood out to you?
I recently spent a day with one family reviewing their structures and talking about the future. Those are the days I value most. The technical work is important, but it’s the conversations around the table, having the opportunity to understand what matters to a family and helping them make good decisions for future generations that make this role meaningful.
What are the biggest challenges your clients face today?
People often assume wealthy families have very different challenges, but families are still families. They want to do right by the next generation, treat everyone fairly and ensure what they’ve built is managed responsibly. Our role is to guide those conversations, navigate the legal and cross-border complexities and prepare the next generation for the responsibilities that come with wealth. Listening is just as important as advising.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
This year marks 30 years working in a fiduciary capacity. I’m not often asked what I’m proudest of, but looking back, I’d like to think I’ve made a difference – to my clients, to the people I’ve worked with and to the businesses I’ve been part of. The relationships I’ve built and the trust people have placed in me have made that possible, and they’re what I’ll always value most.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Integrity, compassion and accountability. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping people succeed, making the difficult decisions when they’re needed and creating an environment where people know what’s expected of them and feel supported. You never really know what’s happening in someone’s life, so treating people with kindness and respect can make more of a difference than you realise.
Which business leader do you most admire?
Satya Nadella. What I admire most isn’t just what he’s achieved, but the culture he’s helped create. He’s shown that empathy, curiosity and a growth mindset can sit alongside high performance. The best leaders bring out the best in others, and that’s influenced the kind of leader I try to be.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
My last trip was a family holiday to Burgundy with my husband and our daughters. We explored villages, wandered through markets, enjoyed wonderful food, spent lots of time in the pool and simply enjoyed being together. It reminded me how important it is to slow down. Time with my family gives me perspective, keeps me grounded and reminds me what really matters.
If you weren’t in fiduciary services, what would you be doing?
I’d be a travel photographer. I enjoy observing people and places and waiting for the right moment rather than rushing past it. The best photographs tell a story, and you learn a lot about people by taking the time to really look and listen.
Butterfield’s Citywealth Leaders List profile
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