Dubai-headquartered Holborn Assets, which manages $3bn of client assets, is launching a major expansion of its Residency and Citizenship Investment (RCBI) division amid countries tightening citizenship by investment programmes rules and as demand for so-called golden visas surges.

In a statement on 13 September, the international wealth manager and adviser said it had appointed Pablo Ostrick to be the managing Director of its RCBI unit, known as Holborn Pass.

In his new role within the business , he will hire 25 advisers this year to work alongside the firm's 250 wealth managers, helping high net worth (HNW) clients benefit from more than 20 citizenship programmes offered by countries around the world.

Ostrick said: "My priority is ensuring we provide the highest level of tailored residence and citizenship by investment advisory services as we continue to expand our global footprint.

"We have direct relationships with the top industry stakeholders and know how to meet client expectations whilst ensuring their investments are safe and lead to a second passport which adds value to their lives."  

As it grew into a business with over 600 staff serving 20,000 clients from 25 international offices, Holborn Assets built its reputation on the quality of its advisers, who are all qualified by the UK's Chartered institute for Securities and Investments.

Since Ostrick first researched existing client demand for citizenship services, and pitched the proposition to CEO Bob Parker and COO Simon Parker, Holborn Pass has already become one of the company's biggest divisions.

Simon Parker said: "The demand for alternative citizenship and residency support from our existing and new client base requires a knowledgeable and driven leader at the helm.

"It's a fast-moving environment, and Pablo has shown he has the knowledge and the ability to meet the demands of our HNW investors."

Countries including the US, Spain, New Zealand and Greece have introduced ‘golden visa' schemes as they seek to attract capital and entrepreneurial residents.

Earlier this month, Indonesia became the latest country to launch a scheme, asking investors to set up a company worth $2.5m in return for a five-year residence permit.

The rules of Portugal's programme, which has been the most popular with Holborn Pass's clients over the past three years, recently became tighter as the government seeks to address property price inflation.

Ostrick said: "We believe the new Portuguese regulations will offer opportunities to be innovative, and we have products lined up that can service more clients than ever before.

"We have the knowledge, we have the global footprint, and we offer the best platform for consultants with an established client network. I am fully focussed on making Holborn Pass the investment migration consultancy of choice for HNWIs and the employer of choice for talented advisers."

Holborn Assets has over 600 staff serving 20,000 clients from 25 international offices.