Dec.20.2021, Shanghai
Credit Suisse Group today announces the appointment of governance members for multiple regions include the Asia Pacific. Francesco De Ferrari as CEO of the Wealth Management division. He will join the Executive Board of Credit Suisse Group, effective January 1, 2022, reporting to Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Gottstein. Francesco De Ferrari has also been appointed as ad interim CEO of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Christian Meissner, CEO of the Investment Bank division, has been appointed as CEO of the Americas region. In addition, Helman Sitohang and André Helfenstein have been appointed as CEOs of the APAC and Switzerland regions, respectively. Further, Mark Hannam has been named as Head of Internal Audit. Finally, Credit Suisse announces a new Board of Directors model structure to enhance the effectiveness and governance of the subsidiary Boards.
From January 1, 2022, the Group will be organized into four business divisions – Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management – and four geographic regions – EMEA, Americas, Switzerland and APAC, with the following leadership:
Business divisions
| Geographic regions
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As a consequence of re-establishing two global divisions (Wealth Management and Investment Bank) and emphasizing our quest to further simplify our structure, we have taken the decision to reintegrate parts of the Sustainability, Research & Investment Solutions (SRI) organization into the global business divisions, namely IS&P into Wealth Management and Research into Investment Bank. As a result of these changes, Lydie Hudson will step down from the Executive Board and will leave Credit Suisse after a transition period. The Executive Board would like to thank her for her contribution as a trusted and valued colleague and partner for nearly 14 years.
António Horta-Osório, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “I am delighted to welcome Francesco to his new role. He joins with an impressive track record and a profound knowledge of Credit Suisse and the industry, reinforcing our Executive Board at this critical junction in our journey. He will undoubtedly play a crucial role in delivering on the Group’s new strategy, towards a much stronger, more client-centric bank, with leading global businesses and regional franchises. Risk management will be at the core of all our actions, with the Board of Directors and the Executive Board together driving a culture that reinforces the importance of accountability and responsibility across the entire bank. At the same time, I would also like to thank Lydie and Philipp for their excellent contributions to the bank in their respective roles over such a significant period of time.”
Francesco De Ferrari is joining Credit Suisse from AMP Ltd., where he was CEO from December 2018 to June 2021, overseeing a portfolio of businesses ranging from life insurance to asset management products, pensions and banking, as well as joint ventures across China and the US. Previously, he worked for Credit Suisse Group from 2002 to 2018, and he held a number of senior roles including Head of Private Banking APAC and CEO of South East Asia and Frontier Markets. Between 2008 and 2011, Francesco De Ferrari held the role of CEO Private Banking Italy, after previously serving as Business Chief Operating Officer for Private Banking EMEA. Between 2002 and 2006, he held various roles at Credit Suisse in Italy including Chief Operating Officer for the country. Between 1990 and 2001, he worked for various companies such as Nestlé and McKinsey in different roles.
Francesco De Ferrari holds an MBA from INSEAD as well as a BA in Economics and International Business from the New York University Stern School of Business. He will be based in Zurich and will report directly to Group CEO Thomas Gottstein.
https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/about-us/docs/our-company/our-management/211213-exb-org-chart.pdf
Richard Meddings, Chair of the Audit Committee, said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to Credit Suisse. He joins with an impressive track record in making sure that risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively. It is a crucial role and his skills and background will be invaluable in contributing to shaping and implementing the bank’s new strategy and risk culture going forward.”
Credit Suisse also announced the reshaping of its main regional subsidiary and advisory Boards’ composition whereby a member of the Group Board of Directors will become the Chair of each of the Group’s main regional subsidiary and advisory Boards.
António Horta-Osório, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “By increasing the connectivity between the Group Board and our main regional subsidiary and advisory Boards, Credit Suisse should achieve a greater alignment between regions and business divisions, enhancing its ability to accelerate the embedding of a culture focused on risk management, responsibilities and accountability globally. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Derendinger, John Devine and Bruce Richards for their very valuable contributions as Chairs of the Boards of Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG, Credit Suisse International and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd. as well as Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc., respectively.”
An additional three subsidiary and advisory Boards were recently approved for elevation to the so-called “Category 1” level, which introduces enhanced oversight and governance between the Group Board and our main regional Boards, i.e. the APAC Board, the Credit Suisse Bank (Europe), S.A. Board and the Brazil Advisory Board have been elevated, resulting in six regional Boards of strategic importance. Along with the previously announced appointment of Ana Paula Pessoa to Chair of the Brazil Advisory Board, Credit Suisse today announced and confirmed the following members of the Group Board of Directors as Chairs of the respective subsidiary and regional Boards, effective from January 1, 2022, unless mentioned otherwise:
- Juan Colombas1 – Credit Suisse Bank (Europe), S.A.
- Christian Gellerstad2 – Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG
- Blythe Masters – Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc.
- Richard Meddings1 – Credit Suisse International and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd. (in the UK)
- Kai Nargolwala3 – Credit Suisse Asia Pacific
- Ana Paula Pessoa – Credit Suisse Brazil
Finally, the Group Board of Directors will, over time, move to a composition with a maximum of 12 members, despite these additional responsibilities.
Credit Suisse is one of the world's leading financial services providers. Our strategy builds on Credit Suisse's core strengths: its position as a leading wealth manager, its specialist investment banking capabilities and its strong presence in our home market of Switzerland. We seek to follow a balanced approach to wealth management, aiming to capitalize on both the large pool of wealth within mature markets as well as the significant growth in wealth in Asia Pacific and other emerging markets, while also serving key developed markets with an emphasis on Switzerland. Credit Suisse employs approximately 49,950 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.
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