UBS has announced a broad overhaul of its investment banking leadership, introducing a new generation of executives and reorganising its structure to strengthen regional expertise and align with the bank’s long-term growth ambitions.
New Global Leadership
Marco Valla will step into the role of Global Head of Banking, succeeding Javier Oficialdegui, who moves into a new position as Chairman of Global Banking and will relocate to Madrid in 2026. The bank has also streamlined its dealmaking operations into three core areas: corporate and sponsor advisory, global capital markets, and regional leadership.
Regional Appointments
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Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): Philippe Chryssicopoulos and Christian Lesueur will jointly lead the investment banking franchise.
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Americas: Jon Levin and Richard Casavechia take charge of the U.S. and Latin American banking operations.
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Asia Pacific: Taichi Takahashi — who also becomes global head of digital assets — and Anthony Sweetman will co-head the region.
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Australia & New Zealand: Greg Peirce and Nick Hughes will lead banking activities.
Meanwhile, Nestor Paz-Galindo, previously head of banking in EMEA, transitions to co-head the bank’s “OneUBS” initiative, designed to encourage collaboration across divisions.
Why the Change Matters
The reshuffle signals several priorities for UBS:
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Generational renewal: Promoting new faces into top posts underscores the bank’s intention to bring in fresh perspectives.
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Regional focus: Giving co-heads responsibility in each major geography reflects the importance of local leadership in a competitive global market.
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Growth in digital assets: By naming a global head for the area, UBS is positioning itself for opportunities in the fast-evolving digital finance space.
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Post-Credit Suisse integration: The leadership refresh also helps align structures after UBS absorbed its former rival in 2023.
Challenges Ahead
Such a significant reshuffle carries risks, including potential disruption during leadership transitions, the challenge of retaining senior talent, and the complexities of integrating Credit Suisse’s teams. In addition, UBS will need to deliver clear communication to reassure clients and staff during the transition.
