Retail News CRM

Tag: leadership

  • 21Shares Shakes Things Up: New Leadership Structure Amidst $11 Billion Crypto Assets Management

    21Shares Shakes Things Up: New Leadership Structure Amidst $11 Billion Crypto Assets Management

    21Shares, a well-known firm that specializes in exchange-traded products (ETPs) tied to cryptocurrency assets, recently unveiled some major changes in its leadership structure. Having recently been taken over by a U.S. broker, the company currently oversees more than $11 billion in assets.

    Adrian Fritz’s Promotion

    With a tenure of four years, Adrian Fritz, who held the position of Global Head of Research, has ascended to the role of Chief Investment Strategist. In this new leadership role, Fritz will pivot his concentration towards sales and capital markets. As Vice President and Chief Investment Strategist, Fritz’s obligations will comprise of directing the company’s global investment strategy. This involves enhancing market predictions, portfolio evaluations, and the asset allocation strategy in digital assets.

    Eliézer Ndinga to Lead Research

    The leadership baton for the five-member research team has been passed to Eliézer Ndinga, the former Head of Strategy at 21Shares since April 2020.

    Ndinga, who originally founded the research team, served in this role for over three years. He held the position of Vice President, Head of Strategy at 21.co in New York City from December 2023 onwards. Ndinga will now resume his duties from the company’s headquarters in Zurich.

    Questions & Answers

    Who has been promoted to the role of Chief Investment Strategist at 21Shares?
    Adrian Fritz, who previously served as the Global Head of Research for the firm, has been promoted to the role of Chief Investment Strategist.

    Who will succeed Adrian Fritz as the head of the research team at 21Shares?
    Eliézer Ndinga, the former Head of Strategy at the company, will now lead the research team.

    What are the new roles and responsibilities of Adrian Fritz and Eliézer Ndinga?
    As the Chief Investment Strategist, Adrian Fritz will oversee the company’s global investment strategy, improve market forecasts, portfolio assessments, and manage the asset allocation strategy in digital assets. Eliézer Ndinga, on the other hand, will lead the research team from the company’s headquarters in Zurich.

  • Link Asset Management Prepares For Ceo George Hongchoy’s Retirement With Interim Leadership Plan

    Link Asset Management Prepares For Ceo George Hongchoy’s Retirement With Interim Leadership Plan

    Hong Kong’s premier property management company, Link Asset Management, has unveiled an interim leadership plan to prepare for the imminent departure of its Group CEO, George Hongchoy.

    Leadership Transition

    George Hongchoy, who also holds the position of Executive Director, has recently declared his intent to retire at the end of this year after a long service tenure of 16 years with the company.

    In response, Link has secured John Saunders, the current Group Chief Investment Officer, for an executive director role on its board from the start of next year. Saunders will be joining forces with Kok-Siong Ng, the Executive Director and Group CFO, to form an interim leadership team. This collaborative effort will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Group CEO.

    Steering the ship

    The company’s chair, Duncan Owen, along with a newly constituted Chairs Committee, will be responsible for providing oversight, support, and independent counsel to the executive directors. Their role will be crucial in implementing strategic decisions and key initiatives during this transitional phase.

    Owen highlighted the rationale behind this interim arrangement, stating that it will allow the retiring CEO to depart, while capitalizing on the strong and established leadership team that Link currently has. This will ensure smooth operations and continuity until a new Group CEO can assume the office.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is set to retire from Link Asset Management?
    George Hongchoy, the Group CEO and Executive Director is set to retire on December 31.

    Who will form the interim leadership team at Link?
    John Saunders, the current Group Chief Investment Officer, and Kok-Siong Ng, the Executive Director and Group CFO, will form the interim leadership team.

    What role will Duncan Owen and the Chairs Committee play during this transition?
    Duncan Owen and the newly formed Chairs Committee at Link will be providing oversight, support, and independent guidance to the executive directors in their execution of strategy and key initiatives.

  • Baloise Welcomes Dynamic New Executive from NPB Neue Privat Bank to Strengthen Leadership Team

    Baloise Welcomes Dynamic New Executive from NPB Neue Privat Bank to Strengthen Leadership Team

    Baloise Bank has welcomed a new addition to its executive board with the appointment of Joël Renggli, who took on his role in May following a brief tenure at NPB Neue Privat Bank. This vibrant shift hints at how major banks continue to adapt in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

    As a multi-asset trader, Renggli will navigate the complex waters of capital markets by executing transactions in equities, bonds, funds, options (EUREX), and foreign exchange. His responsibilities also encompass co-managing the bank’s liquidity and strategizing on money market operations, including the meticulous handling of FX reserves and REPO transactions. It’s a crucial role that demonstrates Baloise’s commitment to maintaining a robust and agile financial position.

    From NPB and UBS to Baloise

    Renggli’s impressive journey in the banking sector brought him from NPB, where he served as a junior relationship manager for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, focusing on international clients primarily from the Middle East. His extensive previous experience at UBS spanned nearly seven years, where he began his career as an intern in 2017 and climbed through various roles within the bank’s external asset management division.

    With a career trajectory that showcases adaptability and expertise, Renggli’s transition to Baloise is not just a shift in position but a sign of the evolving demands in the banking industry. Will he bring a fresh approach that disrupts the norm? Only time will tell!

    Questions & Answers

    Who is Joël Renggli? Renggli is the newly appointed multi-asset trader and executive board member at Baloise Bank, having previously worked at NPB Neue Privat Bank and UBS.

    What are Renggli’s responsibilities at Baloise Bank? He is responsible for executing capital market transactions, co-managing the bank’s liquidity, and handling money market operations, including FX reserves and REPO transactions.

    What prior experience does Renggli have in the banking sector? Before joining Baloise, Renggli worked at NPB Neue Privat Bank and spent nearly seven years at UBS, where he held multiple roles in the external asset management division.

  • Bamboo Airways Chairman Steps Down: What’s Next for the Airline’s Future?

    Bamboo Airways Chairman Steps Down: What’s Next for the Airline’s Future?

    Bamboo Airways is set for a leadership transition as chairman Phan Dinh Tue has submitted his resignation, pending shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for July 5.

    New Leadership on the Horizon

    The airline announced that a new director will be elected to succeed Tue, who has been at the helm since February 2024 after joining the company as a director in June 2023. The board currently consists of five directors, including Tue.

    With an extensive background in finance and banking spanning four decades, Tue previously served as a deputy general director at Sacombank starting in 2012. During his tenure at Bamboo Airways, he played a critical role in the airline’s restructuring efforts, shaping its business model, fleet structure, and financial strategies to ensure viability in a competitive market.

    This year, Bamboo Airways has reported promising results, particularly on significant routes and popular tourist destinations. The airline achieved a remarkable flight load factor of 90% in June, showcasing its recovery and operational efficiency. Its fleet, which includes Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, has recently expanded with the addition of a leased Boeing 737-900E.

    With changes on the board, the question now is how Bamboo Airways will navigate the skies of Asian aviation—and whether the new leadership will continue to steer the airline toward success. After all, in the ever-evolving airline industry, change is the only constant, and sometimes that change can fly by faster than a jet engine!

    Questions & Answers

    Why did Phan Dinh Tue resign?
    Phan Dinh Tue has resigned as chairman of Bamboo Airways, with the resignation awaiting approval from shareholders at a meeting on July 5.

    What role did Tue play in the airline’s development?
    Tue was instrumental in spearheading the airline’s restructuring, contributing to its business model and financial capabilities.

    How has Bamboo Airways performed this year?
    Bamboo Airways has reported a successful operational performance, particularly with a flight load factor of 90% in June, indicating strong demand for its services.

  • Julius Baer’s CEO Tackles Major Challenges in Retail Growth Strategy

    Julius Baer’s CEO Tackles Major Challenges in Retail Growth Strategy

    In a bold move to reshape Julius Baer, newly appointed CEO Stefan Bollinger is steering the prestigious Zurich-based private bank through a significant transformation. With an eye on enhancing performance and accountability, Bollinger aims to revitalize the organization amidst a backdrop of recent controversies and financial hurdles.

    A Fresh Vision for Leadership

    Stefan Bollinger, donning a casual dark-blue suit paired with white sneakers, embodies a new era at Julius Baer. During the company’s recent full-year results announcement, he outlined an ambitious plan to refocus the company’s leadership structure, ultimately reducing the Executive Board from 15 to just 5 members. This reduction is part of a larger strategy to boost accountability and foster a client-centric approach.

    With targeted cost savings projected at CHF 110 million and a 5% cut in the workforce, Bollinger’s overhaul signals a clear intent to streamline operations and sharpen the firm’s focus on client needs.

    Addressing Past Challenges

    Bollinger’s task is formidable, especially following a series of damaging incidents that have affected the bank’s reputation. In 2021, Julius Baer paid $79 million to settle U.S. money laundering allegations linked to the FIFA scandal. More recently, a CHF 606 million loan to Austrian real estate mogul René Benko’s Signa Group resulted in a crippling 52% profit decline after the company collapsed.

    As a result, the bank’s cost-to-income ratio stands at a concerning 70.9%, starkly above its target of 64%, underscoring the urgent need for reform. Additionally, Swiss financial regulator Finma has launched proceedings to assess potential deficiencies in risk management and lending protocols.

    Strategic Developments Amidst Uncertainty

    Despite these challenges, market confidence seems gradually returning. Inflows surged in 2024, particularly in the second half, with net new money reaching CHF 14 billion and assets under management soaring to a record CHF 497 billion. The bank concluded the year with a net profit of CHF 1.02 billion, indicative of Bollinger’s potential impact.

    To further streamline operations, Bollinger has initiated the creation of a Global Wealth Management Committee, alongside a new product and solutions unit that consolidates all digital transformation initiatives under unified leadership. This structural realignment aims to reinforce the firm’s commitment to clients while enhancing risk management.

    Upcoming Strategy Announcement

    Looking ahead, Bollinger is set to unveil a comprehensive strategy update on June 3 in London. Securing the support of newly appointed Chairman Noel Quinn will be vital in this endeavor. Observers in Zurich note the swift pace of change under Bollinger’s leadership, though some industry insiders express curiosity about his approach to further restructuring key positions within the firm.

    Path to Sustainable Growth

    While cost cuts are underway, questions linger regarding the balance of savings and long-term growth. Experts highlight the opportunity for greater savings through technology investments, a critical area that remains largely unaddressed in Bollinger’s current strategy.

    As Bollinger navigates this complex landscape, his dynamic approach resonates with shareholders eager for both immediate improvements and sustainable growth. “Cost reductions are a positive step, but the real challenge lies in building a robust future for Julius Baer,” remarked one observer.

    The transition at Julius Baer illustrates significant shifts within the banking sector, emphasizing the need for agility and accountability in responding to consumer trends and market demands. As new developments unfold, the impact on consumers and the broader retail landscape will certainly be noteworthy.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Ferrari Plans New Leadership Structure, Three Top Manages To Leave

    Ferrari Plans New Leadership Structure, Three Top Manages To Leave

    Luxury sports car maker Ferrari announced plans on Monday to shake up its leadership structure, in one of new boss Benedetto Vigna’s first major moves, and said three top managers will leave the company. Those who have decided to leave include Chief Technology Officer Michael Leiters, the carmaker said. The planned reorganization, to be unveiled in detail on Jan. 10, was consistent with Ferrari’s “strategic goals of exclusivity, excellence and sustainability”, it said.

    Vigna, an industry veteran, took the CEO role at the beginning of September with a task to drive Ferrari into the new era of electrification.

    The new management structure will “further foster innovation, optimize processes and increase collaboration both internally and with partners”, the carmaker said.

    Leiters, a German national who joined Ferrari in 2014, has helped develop Ferrari’s recent most successful models, including the 2019’s SF90 Stradale and this year’s 296 GTB, the house’s first two hybrid electric cars.

    Other top managers leaving the company are Chief Manufacturing Officer Vincenzo Regazzoni and Chief Brand Diversification Officer Nicola Boari, who oversaw Ferrari’s push into luxury, with the unveiling in June of its first in-house fashion collection.

    Key figures in the new organizational framework have been already identified through internal promotions and new hires, and will join the company starting from next month, Ferrari said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Chubb Makes APAC Leadership Appointments

    Chubb Makes APAC Leadership Appointments

    The property and casualty insurer is making several senior management changes at its business in Asia Pacific, effective July 1, while launching a new division, it announced on Friday.

    Country president for Chubb’s general insurance business in Korea, Edward Ler, will take on a new role as head of Southeast Asia, responsible for the general management and business results in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

    Ler joined Chubb in 2013. His 18-year career in the insurance industry spans a variety of managerial roles covering the Asia Pacific, the Middle East and European markets. He will relocate to Singapore for his new role and continue to report to Paul McNamee, Chubb’s regional president for Asia Pacific.

    Ler replaces Glen Browne, who was appointed division president of consumer lines, Asia Pacific, a newly created role to oversee the accident and health and personal lines businesses in the region.

    Browne, who brings 25 years of industry experience, will also have oversight for direct marketing, consumer partnerships, and digital distribution for both the company’s general and life insurance divisions in Asia Pacific. He reports to McNamee and will work closely with Brad Bennett, Chubb Life’s chief operating officer.

    McNamee said the new division is «a response to the evolving customer and growing partnership dynamics of [Chubb’s] business, which will necessitate the sharing of data, technology, and talent to deliver superior customer and partnership outcomes.»

    Taking over Ler in Korea is Edward Kopp, who is currently the firm’s regional head for accident and health since 2019. He continues to report to McNamee in his new capacity.

    Kopp has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including distribution, product development, underwriting, channel management, and has a deep understanding of the Korean market. Prior to joining Chubb in 2012, he held several leadership roles at leading banking and insurance firms.

    Kopp’s deputy, Ben Howell will replace him as regional head of accident and health, Asia Pacific. Howell will continue to be based in Singapore and report to Browne, in the latter’s new role as Division President – Consumer Lines, Asia Pacific.

    Mr. Howell has deep experience across both commercial and consumer insurance, with underwriting, product development, partnership and distribution management expertise spanning diverse product classes. He began his career with the company in Australia, then known as ACE, in 2002 before re-joining in 2016.

    Lees ook:

  • Former Nike innovation chief joins speaker lineup for MarketingPulse 2021

    Former Nike innovation chief joins speaker lineup for MarketingPulse 2021

    A former senior Nike executive once named by Fast Company magazine as one of the most creative people in business, has been confirmed as a headline speaker at this month’s MarketingPulse 2021 virtual conference in Hong Kong.

    Greg Hoffman, global chief marketing officer at Nike from 2016-2018 before moving into the role of VP of global brand innovation until last year, now leads Modern Arena, a brand advisory group he founded for Fortune 500 brands, startups, and non-profit organizations.

    At MarketingPulse 2021, Asia’s premier marketing and branding conference, Hoffman will be drawing on his 27-year career with Nike to explain how innovation drives consumer experiences, envisioning the future of storytelling and the role of tomorrow’s CMOs.  Hoffman was a major strategic and creative influence for Nike at every major global sporting event, overseeing the launches of signature Nike products and innovations, and building the brands of its contracted athletes.

    A major part of Nike’s global marketing success was the strength of its experiential-anchored strategies which helped establish the iconic sportswear brand as one of the world’s pre-eminent storytellers. Hoffman was seen as a leading innovator in digital and physical brand experiences and broadly recognized for his role in the rise of marketing and design through that period.

    Under Hoffman’s leadership, Nike drove themes of equality, sustainability, and empowerment through sport. He was a member of the advisory board of the Nike Black Employee Network and as a member of the charitable Nike Foundation’s board.

    Another drawcard at MarketingPulse 2021 is Alves Huang, CEO, Qianxun (Hangzhou) Holdings, considered the current leading live-streaming e-commerce company in Mainland China.

    Huang founded Qianxun E-commerce in 2017 and in just four years his team has built the company into the country’s largest e-commerce live-streaming broadcasters. Among Qianxun’s successes was being recognized by Taobao Live as its number one e-commerce live-broadcasting agency, as manager of popular Taobao anchor Weiya Viya, who has more than 130 million fans on Chinese platforms.

    The company has long-term cooperative relations with more than 20,000 domestic and foreign brands and has already trained close to 40 anchors. At MarketingPulse 2021, Huang will explain the reasons why live-streaming e-commerce and short-video marketing is proving so successful in Mainland China.

    Putting purpose at the core

    Another high-profile speaker at MarketingPulse 2021 is Bryan Meehan, executive chair and CEO at Blue Bottle Coffee.

    A recent arrival to Hong Kong, Blue Bottle is a specialty coffee roaster and retailer headquartered in Oakland, California with cafes throughout the US, Japan and South Korea.

    Besides his passion for coffee, Meehan has always pursued a personal mission to do good for the environment. Both of his previous companies placed a premium on eco-consciousness – Fresh & Wild was one of the first organic food chains in the UK and Nude Skincare was an all-natural cosmetics business. While Blue Bottle maintains meticulous standards for roasting and brewing coffee (its Oakland location has a full lab to train new baristas), it is equally committed to sustainable business practices.

    At MarketingPulse 2021, Meehan will explain how to put purpose at the core of a business to connect brand values with today’s consumers, and share his success in marketing a globally renowned lifestyle coffee brand disrupting the industry.

    Register now to enjoy the privilege offer 55 percent discount (discount code: MPR02K5P) for Inside Retail readers.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Telenor Pakistan and National Defence University exchange Ideas to Leverage Technology for Development

    Telenor Pakistan and National Defence University exchange Ideas to Leverage Technology for Development

    Telenor Pakistan recently hosted a dinner for a delegation from National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad at its 345 Campus comprising of management of two organizations and participants of International Workshop on Leadership and Security (IWLS).The purpose of the event was to engage in a dialogue on how technology can play a vital role towards national development and empowering societies and to highlight to the international delegates some of the successful and impactful digital initiatives of Telenor Pakistan.

    The high level event was hosted by Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan along with his management team and attended by the faculty and participants of IWLS-1 including delegates from China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Myanmar, Tunisia, South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Finland, Romania, UAE, Syria and The UK. The delegates were given a walkthrough of the latest digital innovations at Telenor Pakistan followed by the tour of the Telenor 345 Campus.

    Mr. Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan opened the event and said that access to technology can have important ancillary benefits and it can help empower people, increase productive investment and consumption and raise productivity and income. “As Pakistan’s leading digital services provider with a strong rural presence, and movers of many industry-first initiatives, we at Telenor Pakistan are fully geared to impact and transform various sectors of Pakistan’s economy through smart connectivity, digitalization of services and platforms and greater financial inclusion of the people of Pakistan. As a forward-looking growth organization, Telenor Pakistan is driven by its ambition to provide intelligent technologies to create better national outcomes through our innovation focus involving the use of Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Blockchain. This model is aligned with our purpose to provide the Government, businesses and people of Pakistan to what matters most to them and allows us to be their partner of choice in their digital transformation.” he added.

    Telenor is leading the ICT-powered digital revolution in Pakistan with a number of innovative products and industry first solutions. The company is firmly focused on digitalization for the masses and has pioneered financial services aimed at higher financial inclusion.

    The participants of the International Workshop being held at NDU appreciated Telenor Pakistan’s ambitions for digital development which are well aligned with the Government’s ambition of a Digital Pakistan. “It’s imperative that we know what developments have taken place in the recent past and what technology holds in store for our future, in order to harvest the benefits. Our findings show that responsible tech is on the rise, even in the midst of technology’s rapid leaps. Technology used in the efficient way will contribute to a sustainable tomorrow.” they added.

    Telenor Pakistan believes there are immense opportunities through technology with a stronger focus on value creation, innovation, enterprise solutions, customer experience and strategic partnerships which are aligned with the company’s promise to deliver on its vision of empowering societies and connecting people to what matters most.

    Lees ook: