Wanted: Successor for UBS Boss

Wanted: Successor for UBS Boss

In three years, the Swiss banker with Pakistani roots has quickly advanced to the heir apparent should Tidjane Thiam exit. At 42, Khan is far younger than UBS' talent bench, a numbers person, and a capable leader who privately speaks admiringly of UBS (as a former EY consultant, Khan will know both big Swiss banks like few others).

The other name frequently mentioned as a potential successor at UBS is Philippe Hildebrand. The 55-year-old former central banker has effectively reached the olympus of finance as vice-president of Blackrock, but running his hometown bank could mark a career high for him.

Renewed Management Shuffle

Should Weber insist on sticking with his plan for an inside candidate, UBS will have to shuffle its management sooner or later. Keller-Busse was overlooked for a revenue job in the Swiss bank's most recent executive reorganization early this year. 

She currently represents UBS' only female top executive – a far cry from the bank's intention of at least one-third of women in top management. Moving Keller-Busse into an operative role would telegraph to investors that Weber has effectively decided on Ermotti's succession.