The group of four joins from Evolution Securities; all previously worked for Dresdner Kleinwort. The team will be led by Warren Ackerman, who joins as managing director and head of consumer equity research.

Andrew Holland and Chas Manso de Zuniga join as directors, the former responsible for beverage research while the latter will head up tobacco, household and personal care research. 

Ackerman, Holland and Manso de Zuniga will report to Matthew Jordan, head of equity research in London.

Meanwhile, Jamie Norman joins as director in consumer specialist sales. He will report to Paul Jackson, head of specialist sales.

Earlier this month, Société Générale said its private banking net income rose 19 per cent year-on-year in absolute terms to €194 million in the second quarter of 2011, while this segment logged net inflows of €2.1 billion of assets, translating into an annualised 10.2 per cent rate, leaving total assets under management at €86.1 billion.