UBS Revamps Investment Bank With APAC in Focus
UBS is overhauling its investment banking leadership worldwide – with Asia-Pacific emerging as a key focus. The Swiss banking giant is strengthening its presence in the region with a new dual leadership team and expanded responsibilities for digital assets.
UBS has appointed Marco Valla, currently co-president of the investment bank, to lead the group’s global banking division.
Marco Valla (Image: UBS)
He takes over from Javier Oficialdegui, according to an internal memo seen by finews.asia and confirmed by the bank.
Transition Into Advisory Role
Based in London, Oficialdegui has been named chairman of global banking and will now report to Valla. He is expected to relocate to Madrid next year. Since May 2024, he has been solely in charge of UBS’ investment banking unit after previously serving as its co-head since 2019.
The memo said that UBS is restructuring its deal-making teams around three main pillars: corporate and sponsor advisory, global capital markets, and regional management.
Spotlight on Asia-Pacific
The biggest shift is reserved for the Asia Pacific region. UBS is introducing a dual leadership model, appointing Anthony Sweetman, who built a strong track record in Australia, as co-head of APAC investment banking alongside Taichi Takahashi. Sweetman will relocate to Hong Kong to take on his new role.
Takahashi is also stepping into a newly created role as global head of digital assets for the investment bank. This move underscores UBS’ ambition to expand its digital strategy from Asia into the wider global business.
Strengthening Australia and New Zealand
With Sweetman moving to Hong Kong, Greg Peirce and Nick Hughes will take over as co-heads of UBS’ banking business in Australia and New Zealand. They will report directly to Sweetman and Takahashi, ensuring the region remains closely tied into the APAC leadership structure.
New Leadership Across EMEA
In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Philippe Chryssicopoulos and Christian Lesueur have been promoted to co-heads of global banking for the region.
They succeed Nestor Paz-Galindo, who moves into a coordination role as co-head of «OneUBS» to enhance cross-divisional collaboration.
Credit Suisse Talent Steps Up in the Americas
In the US, former Credit Suisse banker Jon Levin will co-lead UBS’s Americas deal-making alongside Richard Casavechia. Levin previously oversaw investment banking for healthcare, consumer, and retail sectors.
