Tag: chair

  • 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.

  • Dickson Concepts Founder Retires, Shifts Focus To Strategic Investments Amid Revenue Decline

    Dickson Concepts Founder Retires, Shifts Focus To Strategic Investments Amid Revenue Decline

    Sir Dickson Poon recently announced his retirement from his roles as group executive chairman and executive director of Dickson Concepts, a luxury goods company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The decision came into effect following the conclusion of a recent board meeting. Despite his retirement, Sir Dickson will continue to contribute to the group’s efforts as the chairman of the investment committee.

    New Focuses

    In his new role, Sir Dickson plans to concentrate on diversifying the group and exploring fresh investment ventures. His aim is to reinforce the firm’s connections with its principal partners and provide advisory services on business affairs.

    The group believes that Sir Dickson’s new role will be pivotal in identifying new, strategic investments that will help to broaden the company’s business scope. This forms part of the group’s plan to adapt and grow within the rapidly evolving retail scene and in response to changing consumer spending behaviours.

    Recent Financial Performance

    The group recently disclosed a significant 43.5% decrease in profit and a 19.9% fall in revenue for the fiscal year ending in March.

    Sir Dickson established Dickson Concepts 45 years ago and has since propelled the group’s growth trajectory. Despite his retirement, Sir Dickson affirms that he holds no disagreements with the board, and there are no unresolved issues related to his retirement that require the shareholders’ attention.

    Leadership Changes

    Poon Dickson Pearson Guanda, currently serving as the COO and executive director, is set to assume control over all the group’s businesses and their day-to-day operations.

    Meanwhile, Johnny Pollux Chan, another executive director, will be stepping into the role of acting chairman of the group. Chan will also take on the responsibilities of the new chairman of the nomination committee, a role from which Sir Dickson has retired.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is taking over from Sir Dickson Poon as acting chairman of the Dickson Concepts group?
    Johnny Pollux Chan, currently an executive director, will be assuming the role of acting chairman.

    What will be Sir Dickson’s new role within the group following his retirement?
    Sir Dickson will take on the role of chairman of the investment committee, focusing on diversification and new investment opportunities.

    How did the group perform in the fiscal year ending in March?
    The group reported a 43.5% drop in profit and a 19.9% fall in revenue for the fiscal year ending in March.

  • Bubs Australia Announces Board Reshuffle: Paul Jensen Steps In As Independent Chair

    Bubs Australia Announces Board Reshuffle: Paul Jensen Steps In As Independent Chair

    Bubs Australia, a prominent infant nutrition company, has recently undergone changes in its executive board. Paul Jensen, one of the non-executive directors, has been appointed as the independent chair. This announcement was made following the exit of the previous chair, Katrina Rathie.

    New Appointments

    Paul Jensen, who has been an integral part of the board since 2023, has now taken on the role of independent chair. Throughout his tenure, Jensen has not only led the company’s audit and risk committee but has also brought to the table more than twenty years of experience. His expertise spans across various industries and includes both ASX-listed and unlisted boards.

    Additionally, Joe Coote, who assumed the position of CEO earlier this year, has been appointed to the board as Managing Director (MD). Coote has a deep-seated background in leadership roles, with over two decades of global experience in consumer products, dairy, and infant formula industries.

    Stronger Outlook

    Expressing his enthusiasm about the future of Bubs and his new role, Jensen said, “I am excited about the future of Bubs and the opportunity to serve as chair and welcome Joe to the board as MD.”

    Jensen further highlighted their commitment to advance board evolution throughout the current financial year. This strategic move aims to make certain that the right blend of skills and experience are on board to oversee their corporate strategy, and to align with corporate governance standards.

    Questions & Answers

    Who has been appointed as the new independent chair of Bubs Australia?
    Paul Jensen, a non-executive director of Bubs Australia, has been appointed as the new independent chair.

    Who has joined the board as the managing director?
    Joe Coote, CEO of Bubs Australia, has joined the board as the managing director.

    What is the main aim of the board evolution at Bubs Australia?
    The main aim of the board evolution at Bubs Australia is to ensure a balanced mix of skills and experience to oversee the corporate strategy and comply with corporate governance standards.

  • New UBS Chair Under Pressure to Deliver

    New UBS Chair Under Pressure to Deliver

    Shareholders of UBS voted incoming chairman Colm Kelleher into office with overwhelming support. Now he must meet their expectations.

    With UBS’s record results last year it is no surprise there was no shareholder rebellion at today’s annual general meeting and that shareholders voted overwhelmingly in support of new and existing board members. Incoming chairman Irishman Colm Kelleher garnered 97.7 percent of the votes in favor, the bank said at today’s annual general meeting (AGM).

    Kelleher worked for Morgan Stanley for three decades, last serving as president of the investment bank from which he retired in 2019. He was somewhat of a surprise selection to take over from Axel Weber who is stepping aside because of a 10-year term limit.

    UBS’s new chairman won the post over candidates such as Roche’s overseer Christoph Franz, Swiss ex-central banker Philipp Hildebrand, and ex-Unicredit boss Jean-Pierre Mustier.

    Perhaps because Kelleher is not Swiss, the candidate for the vice-chair was Lukas Gaehwiler, elected today with an approval rating of 96.9 percent, thus adding «Swissness» to the board. Gaehwiler is the chairman of UBS Switzerland since 2017 and was a member of the UBS Group Executive Board from 2010 to 2016. Before that, he was at rival Credit Suisse for 20 years. part of Gaehwiler’s job will be to represent UBS in Switzerland’s powerful industry associations and the corridors of political power.

    The following were elected to an additional one-year term:

    • Jeremy Anderson (98.46%)
    • Claudia Boeckstiegel (98.70%)
    • William C. Dudley (99.10%)
    • Patrick Firmenich (99.11%)
    • Fred Hu (95.83%)
    • Mark Hughes (99.12%)
    • Nathalie Rachou (99.12%)
    • Julie G. Richardson (97.79%)
    • Dieter Wemmer (98.59%)
    • Jeanette Wong (98.40%)

    The shareholders approved the discharge of the members of the board of directors and the group executive board from legal matters for the 2021 financial year by 93.15 percent, but that excludes all issues related to a cross-border tax dispute with France.

  • Consumer’s Guide To Selecting The Perfect Office Chair

    Consumer’s Guide To Selecting The Perfect Office Chair

    If you work in an office environment be it on a full time or part-time basis, then you must be aware of how much time you spend on that office chair. But ironically, most businesses opt to spend a greater percentage of their furniture expense allocations money on an office desk as opposed to a chair. All this while forgetting the vital role played by quality office chairs on the health, general well-being and productivity at work. Therefore, it’s only fair that you purchase an office chair that’s both supportive and comfortable.

    But before deciding on one, here are a few considerations that should keep in mind;

    Don’t Forget To Examine The Fabric

    What’s important in a piece of fabric if you’re not going to wear it? Well, believe it or not, fabric plays a critical role in determining the quality of an office chair. It’s responsible for maintaining the breath-ability of the chair such that it doesn’t get too hot or cold. This can become extremely uncomfortable especially after long hours of sitting on it. Additionally, still on the fabric, ensure that it comes with a quality cushion to protect the person sitting on it from feeling the hard base of the chair.

    How Adjustable Is it?

    The best description of a perfect office chair revolves around its adjust-ability. Take time to check if the chair can be tilted backward for a more relaxed position, adjusted in height depending on the occupant for better use of the desk and the armrest should be adjustable as well. So when sourcing out for an office chair for sale, ensure to look out for such features. In most cases, these office chairs come with dial-controlled features that allow users to adjust with ease. However, there are still others that allow manual control, which is still okay.

    How Flexible Is The Base?

    While the market is mainly filled wheel-based chairs, you should give special considerations when selecting one. There are specific wheels made specifically for carpets, tiles and even wooden floors. Remember the ability to roll freely gives users the flexibility they require to reach out for stuff around the office. While at it, also ensure that the base can swivel freely to allow you access to various parts of the work desk.

    Does It Have Lumbar Support?

    Remember the back is one of the most important parts of the body when it comes to working in an office setting that requires a lot of sitting. Therefore you have to take care of it. Therefore a quality office chair should offer nothing less but good support for the lower back. If possible go for one with an adjustable lumbar to suit the needs of different users. This helps to prevent back strains that can affect the quality of work.

    To Conclude

    Selecting the correct office that’s not only comfortable but also offers solutions and cushion to back issues is vital for productivity in the workplace. All this can be made possible if you pay close attention to the fabric used, examine its flexibility and ensuring it has an adjustable lumbar support.