People Moves
Swiss Private Bank Names Asset Management, Alternatives CEO
Geneva-based private bank Union Bancaire Privée has appointed Richard Wohanka, the former chief executive of Fortis Investment Management, as CEO of its new asset management and alternative investments division.
Mr Wohanka, who also becomes a member of UBP’s executive committee, will report directly to Guy de Picciotto, UBP’s CEO, in his new role. Following the appointment Christophe Bernard, UBP’s chief investment officer, and André Gigon, head of institutional clients and product distribution, will report directly to Mr Wohanka.
Mr Wohanka’s appointment is a confirmation of UBP’s strategy of developing a global asset management platform to service both private and institutional clients, the bank said in a statement. UBP Asset Management now operates in four areas: institutional asset management; the sale and distribution of products; alternative asset management and long-only funds.
“His [Mr Wohanka’s] global vision, his management skills and his long experience in international finance and asset management are a major advantage for our development strategy,” said Mr de Picciotto.
Mr Wohanka was CEO of Fortis Investment Management from 2001 to 2009, having previously served as CEO of WestLB Asset Management from 1997 to 2001. Prior to this he was at BNP Paribas for thirteen years, three of which as CEO of asset management.
Mr Wohanka’s appointment closely follows that earlier in the month of Daniel Kelly as UBP Asset Management’s chief risk officer of alternative investment – a role overseeing all aspects of the firm’s global risk-management platform, as well as investment-risk management responsibilities, which have been split from the firm’s portfolio management team
Mr Kelly was formerly the chief risk officer of Harvard University’s endowment for the past four years.
Other senior appointments at UBP this year are those of Richard Katz as a member of the board of directors; Sara Sprung as chief investment officer of alternative investments; Matt Auriemma as co-head of structural risk analysis; and Jonathan Morgan as read of research of alternative investments.