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Tag: board

  • UBS Announces Major Executive Reshuffle; Aims For Streamlined Operations And Technological Advancement

    UBS Announces Major Executive Reshuffle; Aims For Streamlined Operations And Technological Advancement

    Swiss banking powerhouse, UBS, has recently disclosed several alterations to its executive board, including new appointments for the roles of compliance and operations.

    The reshuffling of the executive board comes after the proposal of Markus Ronner, the group’s chief compliance and governance officer, for the position of vice chairman.

    Michelle Bereaux, previously serving as the Group’s Chief Integration Officer, will step down and take on the new role of Group Head Compliance and Operational Risk Control. UBS accredits Bereaux for her significant contribution to the integration of Credit Suisse. The completion of this merger is forecasted to be by the end of 2026, and includes the transition of clients outside Switzerland and approximately two-thirds of Swiss clients.

    Beatriz Martin, currently the Head of Non-Core and Legacy, has been appointed as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer. Her new role will encompass her existing duties as the Sustainability and Impact Lead and Head of Non-Core and Legacy. Martin will also take on additional responsibilities such as overseeing the completion of the Credit Suisse integration, managing group operations, and supervising the internal consulting and governance teams. Martin will continue her duties as the EMEA President and UK Chief.

    Group Chief Technology Officer Mike Dargan will pivot his focus onto advancing the bank’s technology platforms with the objective to ensure they remain efficient, robust, and responsive to the organization’s changing needs. Dargan will also work on capitalizing on the opportunities that rapid technological advancements, particularly in AI and digital assets, present.

    Responsibilities related to governmental and regulatory affairs will be transferred to Group CFO Todd Tuckner. Meanwhile, group security will be integrated into the group’s human resources and corporate services organization under the leadership of Stefan Seiler.

    Following the announcement, UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti congratulated his colleagues on their new roles and expressed optimism about the bank’s positioning. “With these changes, UBS is ideally positioned to complete the integration, focus on growth opportunities, and continue to deliver in the best interest of all our key stakeholders,” Ermotti said.

    The new appointments are set to take effect from 1 January 2026.

    Questions & Answers

    What changes have been made to the executive board of UBS?
    Several changes have been made including the appointment of Michelle Bereaux as Group Head Compliance and Operational Risk Control, Beatriz Martin as Group Chief Operating Officer, and the transfer of responsibilities related to governmental and regulatory affairs to Group CFO Todd Tuckner.

    Who will oversee the completion of the Credit Suisse integration?
    Beatriz Martin, appointed as the new Group Chief Operating Officer, will oversee the completion of the Credit Suisse integration.

    What will be the new focus of Group Chief Technology Officer Mike Dargan?
    Mike Dargan will focus on advancing the bank’s technology platforms and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by rapid technological advancements, particularly in AI and digital assets.

  • Former H&M CEO, Helena Helmersson, Joins Mango’s Board In Strategic Sustainability Shift

    Former H&M CEO, Helena Helmersson, Joins Mango’s Board In Strategic Sustainability Shift

    The Spanish fashion giant, Mango, has recently announced the addition of Helena Helmersson to its board of directors as an independent member. This move is designed to enrich the corporate governance of the company through a management approach directed by seasoned expertise.

    Helmersson, a distinguished professional, brings to the table an extensive international perspective and vast experience within the fashion industry. Mango’s CEO and Chairman, Toni Ruiz, expressed his confidence in her ability to steer the company towards greater success.

    Helmersson’s illustrious career in the fashion industry spans over two decades, during which she gained considerable experience in global operations, production, and sustainability. Her past roles include serving as the CEO of H&M and holding board positions at companies such as On and Quizzr. Currently, she holds the position of Chairperson at Circulose.

    Helmersson expressed her enthusiasm about joining Mango, praising the brand’s ambitious plans for development and global expansion. She recognizes and appreciates Mango’s commitment to leading sustainability practices in the industry and is excited to contribute to the future success of the company.

    Her appointment to Mango’s board is an integral part of the company’s 2024 to 2026 strategic plan, known as the 4E. This plan is set to shift the company’s focus towards innovation and sustainability while simultaneously aiming to increase sales through broadened realms of operation.

    Questions & Answers

    Who has recently been appointed to the board of directors at Mango?
    Helena Helmersson has been appointed as a new independent member of the board of directors at Mango.

    What is the purpose of Helena Helmersson’s appointment to the board of directors at Mango?
    Her appointment is intended to strengthen the company’s corporate governance structure through her expert-led management approach.

    What does Mango’s 2024 to 2026 strategic plan entail?
    The 4E strategic plan aims to shift the company’s focus towards innovation and sustainability while boosting sales through expansion.

  • HSBC Executive Takes Exciting New Role on SIX Executive Board

    HSBC Executive Takes Exciting New Role on SIX Executive Board

    The Swiss financial market infrastructure operator, SIX, is moving swiftly to bolster its executive team after a series of notable departures. Recently, the company unveiled new leadership appointments, signaling a decisive strategy under the direction of CEO Bjørn Sibbern, who has been steering SIX since November 2024.

    Leadership Transition at SIX

    SIX announced that Tomas Kindler has been appointed as the permanent Head of Exchanges and a Member of the Executive Board, effective June 1. Kindler stepped confidently into this role after serving in an interim capacity since January 1, 2025, following Sibbern’s ascendancy to Group CEO. A familiar face at SIX since 2011, Kindler brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed operations and change management at the exchanges.

    A New Face from Spain

    In an interesting twist, Rafael Moral Santiago will also join the executive team as the new Head of Securities Services and Member of the Executive Board, effective June 1. He succeeds José Manuel Ortiz, who temporarily led the unit but will now return to his role overseeing Clearing and Repo Operations. Santiago’s appointment keeps the “Spanish connection” in play following Ortiz’s earlier leadership transition from Javier Hernani, the former CEO of the Spanish stock exchange BME, which SIX acquired.

    A Wealth of Experience

    Before joining SIX, Santiago served as the Global Head of Country Management Securities Services at HSBC in Hong Kong, where he managed the bank’s regional strategy and securities services across markets. His background also includes significant leadership roles at HSBC in both Hong Kong and London, complemented by a decade at Deutsche Bank.

    Legal Expertise Added

    Also noteworthy is the elevation of Fabienne-Anne Rehulka to a full member of the Executive Board as of April 1, 2025. Having served as SIX’s General Counsel since June 2024, Rehulka brings over 20 years of experience in legal and regulatory affairs, further solidifying the leadership team’s expertise.

    A Strong and Balanced Team

    Commenting on these appointments, CEO Bjørn Sibbern expressed confidence in the new lineup, stating, “With today’s appointments, we now have a strong and balanced executive board to drive SIX forward.” With these fresh faces, SIX is not only enhancing its leadership depth but also ensuring there are no significant vacancies at the top, poised to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape.

    As SIX charges ahead, one has to wonder if their new team will spark a renaissance in the Swiss market. With a mix of internal and external talents, the future looks intriguing!

    Questions & Answers

    Who has been appointed as the Head of Exchanges at SIX?
    Tomas Kindler will take on the role as Head of Exchanges and a member of the Executive Board, effective June 1.

    What previous roles did Santiago hold before joining SIX?
    Rafael Moral Santiago was the Global Head of Country Management Securities Services at HSBC in Hong Kong, in addition to various leadership positions at HSBC and Deutsche Bank.

    What experience does Fabienne-Anne Rehulka bring to the Executive Board?
    Rehulka brings over 20 years of legal and regulatory expertise to the Executive Board, having served as General Counsel of SIX since June 2024.

  • Google tests a new look for dynamic color themes in Gboard

    Google tests a new look for dynamic color themes in Gboard

    Google has been found to be experimenting with a new look for the dynamic color themes in Gboard for Android. The change is subtle, but noticeable. Instead of using three different colors for the non-letter keys, Google is testing a single color pulled from the dynamic color palette. This applies to keys like shift, ?123, comma/emoji, period, enter, and backspace, as well as the menu button.

    The idea behind this change seems to be to create a more unified and less visually distracting keyboard experience. By using a single color for these keys, Google is hoping to make the keyboard feel more cohesive and less cluttered.This updated dynamic color theme is currently only available on the latest Gboard beta (version 14.7.10.x). Even then, it’s not widespread. Across several Pixel phones used for testing, the new theme only appeared on one device. This suggests that Google is still in the early stages of testing this new design and it may be a while before it rolls out to all users.

    It’s worth noting that this change only affects the dynamic color themes. The “Default” themes, which only accent the enter key, remain unchanged. This gives users the option to stick with the old look if they prefer.

    This is just one of many updates that Google has been making to Gboard in recent months. The company has also been working on improving the keyboard’s performance, adding new features, and expanding support for more languages.

    The change seems so subtle that I’m not sure why it’s being done. However, I appreciate Google’s efforts in making the UI more appealing. I’m interested to see if this update will make a noticeable difference in my daily use of Gboard. It’s possible that this more unified color scheme could be less distracting while typing, but I’ll need to use it for a while to see if it makes a real difference. I’m always happy to see companies like Google experimenting with new design ideas and trying to improve the user experience.

  • HSBC Singapore Strengthens Board

    HSBC Singapore Strengthens Board

    HSBC Singapore has named a new executive director to its board, while Winston Ngan, who retired as a partner of EY Singapore, joins as an independent non-executive director.

    Wong Kee Joo, who was appointed as Singapore CEO on 1 June 2021, brings more than 26 years of banking experience across markets like the U.K., Thailand, Hong Kong and China. He was previously HSBC’s regional head of global payments and cash management (GLCM) for the Asia Pacific region since January 2015.

    Ngan brings 26 years of professional services experience, including stints with Ernst & Young (EY) in Singapore and Canada. Before retiring, he led EY’s Financial Services Assurance practice, overseeing 1,300 audit professionals across Asean, including Singapore.

    HSBC reiterated its commitment to Singapore as a strategic priority market and said it aims to double the total wealth balances of its Wealth and Personal Banking business in the next five years.

    Among the bank’s priorities are growing frontline wealth teams to support high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) customer segments; accelerating growth in offshore customer segments, in particular overseas Chinese and Indians, and UHNW market share; and ramping up digital banking capabilities and expanding its product and solution suite, including adding more ESG-themed investments.

    As we head into our next phase of growth, Kee Joo’s extensive regional experience in wholesale banking will further strengthen our ability to tap HSBC corporate clients’ personal banking and wealth needs for growth, while Winston’s deep knowledge of Singapore’s banking regulatory requirements will ensure that we have a robust audit framework and the necessary internal controls in place, Mukhtar Hussain, HSBC Singapore chairman, said in the announcement.

  • Aston Martin’s Biggest Investor Considers Acquiring Another Stake

    Aston Martin’s Biggest Investor Considers Acquiring Another Stake

    The biggest investor in Aston Martin is considering buying another 3% stake, offering to increase its holding after shares in the luxury carmaker crashed almost 50% since its listing nine months ago.

    Strategic European Investment Group, part of the Italian private equity group Investindustrial, owns 31% of Aston Martin. It only wants to buy a maximum 3% stake but has to make an offer to all shareholders due to its already large holding.

    It has secured agreements from existing shareholders such as a group of Kuwait-based investors to back the move.

    It is offering to pay 10 pounds ($12.68) per share, the price at which the shares closed on Friday. It must make a decision by July 29.

    Aston Martin has struggled since it listed in October last year. Its shares fell on the opening day and are now down 47 percent. The company’s recent results have been hit by a need to invest more in its manufacturing plants and expand its vehicle offering, leading to higher costs.

  • Board-game creator Cmon to open Singapore Store

    Board-game creator Cmon to open Singapore Store

    Board-game creator Cool Mini or Not – best known as Cmon – is opening a flagship store in Singapore this Saturday.

    Located on Henderson Road, the store will bring the latest board games such as Game of Thrones-inspired A Song of Ice & Fire Miniatures Game, arena-style zombie-survival game Zombicide, the Japanese mythical fantasy game Rising Sun.

    There will be a tour of the premises, a special board game auction with a chance to win some of the available games on opening day.

    The auction will feature a wide selection of board games.

    Customers can also join a small-scale competition based on the Potion Explosion game.

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  • Dominic Barton joins Singtel board

    Dominic Barton joins Singtel board

    Singtel has appointed Dominic Barton (pictured) as an independent director with immediate effect, the Singaporean telco announced Monday.

    Barton is currently global managing partner emeritus of McKinsey & Company. Prior to that he was global managing partner of McKinsey until July 2018, a role he held for nine years. He has also served as chair of the board of Canadian mining company Teck Resources since October, 2018.

    “Dominic brings rich expertise and insights from across a broad swathe of industries, having advised clients in banking, consumer goods, tech and industrials over three decades of consulting,” said Singtel chairman Simon Israel said. “The diversity of his experience will be invaluable as Singtel’s digital transformation takes the group into businesses and partnerships that cut across multiple industries.”

    The Singtel Board now comprises 12 directors: Simon Israel (chairman), Chua Sock Koong (Group CEO), Gautam Banerjee, Dominic Barton, Bobby Chin Yoke Choong, Venky Ganesan, Bradley Horowitz, Gail Kelly, Low Check Kian, Peter Mason, Christina Ong, and Teo Swee Lian.

    HKBN names Elinor Shiu marketing chief for residential services

    Elinor Shiu, CMO, Residential Services, HKBN Group

    HKBN Group has named Elinor Shiu (pictured) as chief marketing officer, residential services.

    In her new role, Shiu will lead the marketing strategies and operations of the group’s residential market business. She has also joined the group’s management committee, overseeing HKBN’s continued growth with six other senior executives, according to a company announcement.

    Shui has extensive experience in marketing management and business operations. She has held several senior positions across the group’s residential and enterprise solutions business before becoming head of marketing in 2018.

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  • AirAsia appoints 28-year-old celebrity businesswoman to board

    AirAsia appoints 28-year-old celebrity businesswoman to board

    AirAsia, one of Southeast Asia’s biggest budget carriers, has appointed the well-known 28-year-old entrepreneur Neelofa Noor as non-executive independent director, hoping she can bring fresh insights about the market for digital-savvy young people and women.

    Neelofa is a household name in Malaysia, famous for her brand of hijab collections, which are available in over 35 countries, and which are worn by AirAsia’s female pilots. She becomes AirAsia’s youngest board member.

    She rose to prominence after winning a teen beauty contest, and was a film and television actress before starting her Muslim headwear business in 2014, supported by her parents.

    “Her experience as an entrepreneur, a brand creator and an industry disruptor will be invaluable to AirAsia,” said Tony Fernandes, chief executive of the low-cost carrier, in a statement Friday.

    He added that Neelofa’s business success could teach the company about the youth market and the world of digital communications.

    “Neelofa is super smart, young and independent,” he said. “Her reputation as Malaysia’s leading businesswomen … and her track record in championing women in business is an inspiration to us.”

    The hijabista — a woman who dresses stylishly while conforming to Islamic modesty by wearing a hijab — has a large social media following, with millions of followers on Twitter and Facebook.

    “Such an inspiration,” said one comment on Facebook about the appointment.

    In Southeast Asia — AirAsia’s key market — ambitious Muslim women who combine a taste for lifestyle brands and digital technology with religious observance have been playing an increasingly important role in the marketplace, according to a recent study.

    “Young Muslim women in Southeast Asia are coming of age at a time of societal flux and are demonstrating a new set of aspirations and behaviors which represent opportunities and challenges to brands,” said the study, titled “The New Muslimah: Southeast Asia Focus,” by J. Walter Thompson Company.

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