Credit Suisse Group announces appointments to the Executive Board in line with its new strategy
Credit Suisse Group today announces the appointment of 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.
The new appointments are in line with the Group’s new strategy and organizational structure, as announced in November 2021, which is designed to move Credit Suisse to a matrix organization to allow for the best possible implementation of the strategy of strengthening, simplifying and investing for growth.
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
Wealth Management – Francesco De Ferrari
Investment Bank – Christian Meissner
Swiss Bank – André Helfenstein
Asset Management – Ulrich Körner
EMEA – Francesco De Ferrari (ad interim)
Americas – Christian Meissner
Switzerland – André Helfenstein
APAC – Helman Sitohang
Philipp Wehle, who has served as CEO of International Wealth Management (IWM) since 2019, will be appointed CFO of Wealth Management and Head Client Segment Management Global Wealth. He will work closely with Francesco De Ferrari.
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.”
Thomas Gottstein, Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Francesco back to Credit Suisse as CEO of the global Wealth Management division. As we look to build on our existing strengths and accelerate growth in key strategic business areas, Francesco brings over 24 years of experience in wealth management, asset management and investment banking, thereof 17 years in executive roles at Credit Suisse across the Asia Pacific and EMEA (including Switzerland) regions. He will also ensure an orderly implementation of the new business structure in his ad interim role as CEO of the EMEA region. With these appointments, as well as the appointment of Christian as CEO of the Americas region, the bank’s new divisional and regional structure is now complete and I am looking forward to working with all my Executive Board colleagues on executing our new strategy from January 1, 2022. I would like to thank Lydie, who worked in global roles across the firm and ultimately launched and led SRI. She will leave an indelible mark on the organization and with our clients. Spearheading programs like the Global Women’s Financial Forum and Sustainability Week, she has enabled our clients and employees to participate in our efforts to become a more inclusive and sustainable firm. She is a champion of diversity and a trusted colleague. We look forward to working with Lydie through the transition period and wish her well for the future. At the same time, I would like to expressly thank Philipp for his contribution in driving Wealth Management growth for Credit Suisse over the past years. Under his leadership, we have made significant progress in establishing the bank as one of the world’s leading wealth managers with market-leading franchises in UHNW and HNW. We are fortunate and privileged to be able to count on Philipp’s continued support in his new role.”
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.
David Wildermuth will join Credit Suisse and the Executive Board as Chief Risk Officer effective January 1, 2022, a month earlier than previously announced, while Joanne Hannaford will take over from James B. Walker as Chief Technology and Operating Officer at the same time. As previously communicated, Christine Graeff will take over from Antoinette Poschung as Global Head of Human Resources on February 1, 2022 and will join the Executive Board at such time. All other Executive Board members will maintain their respective roles.
The full new Executive Board composition, effective January 1, 2022, can be seen here: https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/about-us/docs/our-company/our-management/211213-exb-org-chart.pdf
Credit Suisse today also appointed Mark Hannam as Head of Internal Audit. He will join on April 1, 2022, reporting directly to Richard Meddings, Chair of the Audit Committee. He joins Credit Suisse from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he served as a Partner for the past two decades. He most recently had an oversight role for audit quality across a number of PwC firms within its international network. During his career, he provided audit or advisory services for a number of systemically important financial services companies, while also working with a number of US Securities and Exchange Commission Foreign Registrants as audit clients or in an advisory capacity.
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.”
Subsidiary and regional Boards of Directors appointments
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
Furthermore, a new Group Board Committee, the Digital Transformation and Technology Committee, is being established, effective January 1, 2022. It will be chaired by Blythe Masters. This Group Board Committee will provide direct oversight and governance on key technology and digitalization topics and replace the current Innovation and Technology (Advisory) Committee. In order to dedicate her full attention to her new responsibilities, Blythe Masters will step down from both the Risk and Compensation Committees.
Finally, the Group Board of Directors will, over time, move to a composition with a maximum of 12 members, despite these additional responsibilities.
1 Appointment subject to regulatory approval.2 Appointment subject to re-election at AGM of Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG (effective April 2022).3 Appointment effective April 2022, subject to re-election at the Group 2022 AGM. The APAC Board is an advisory body overseeing business conducted through a number of Credit Suisse legal entities and branches in the APAC region.
Howden continues to strengthen Construction division with 19 appointments across EMEA
Howden, the international insurance broker, announced the appointment of 19 new senior construction specialists in London and Dubai. Led by recently appointed Global Head of Construction Naresh Dade, and Andrew Harrison Sleap, Deputy Global Head of Construction, the strengthened team will focus on developing bespoke retail and specialty solutions for Howden’s construction clients.
The new hires are:
Andrew Birt – Executive Director and Head of UK Projects
Duncan Willcocks – Executive Director and Head of UK Contractors
David Lyle – Executive Director and Deputy Head of UK Contractors
Neil Higgins – Executive Director and head of Claims for Construction and Infrastructure Assets
Paul Tubb – Executive Director and head of Infrastructure Assets
Larissa Rosam – Divisional Director, International Construction
Martin Hurley – Divisional Director
James Crow – Divisional Director
Christopher Graves – Divisional Director
Steve McGuckin – Divisional Director, Head of Operations
Nick Sparrow – Associate Director in Dubai Hub
Mike Robinson – Associate Director
Lizzie Conolly – Associate Director
Jessica Lee – Associate Director
Matheu Challinor – Divisional Director, Infrastructure Assets
Karen O’Donnell – Divisional Director, Infrastructure Assets
Nicole Welch – Associate Director, Infrastructure Assets
Emma Archer – Associate Director, Infrastructure Assets
Jack Gilbert – Account Executive, Infrastructure Assets
Howden has appointed four executive directors, welcoming Andrew Birt, Head of UK Projects, Duncan Willcocks, Head of UK Contractors, David Lyle, Deputy Head of UK Contractors, and Neil Higgins, Head of Claims for Construction and Infrastructure Assets. Birt, Willcocks, Lyle, and Higgins bring unparalleled knowledge of project risk across UK infrastructure and construction with individual careers spanning decades and ample experience between them.
The team also welcomes divisional directors Larissa Rosam, Martin Hurley, Christopher Graves and Steve McGuckin from October 2021. Rosam brings a wealth of experience in international project risk, whilst Hurley will be an integral part of the division’s retail growth strategy. Christopher Graves will join the international team in November 2021 and Steve McGuckin will join in Q1 2022 as Divisional Director and Head of Operations. James Crow joined in August from Aon, and will support the team with the retail proposition in the UK.
Separately, the construction division’s associate director bench has been bolstered to include Nick Sparrow, Mike Robinson, Jessica Lee and Lizzie Conolly joining from Marsh JLT. Sparrow joins the division’s Dubai hub, with Robinson, Lee and Conolly based in London.
The recently launched Infrastructure Assets team will onboard divisional directors Karen O’Donnell and Matheu Challinor, and Associate Directors Nicole Welch and Emma Archer from October. They will be supported by Jack Gilbert who joins as an Account Executive from Aon, where he specialised in PFI/PPP and onshore renewable energy.
This significant investment in talent will strengthen Howden’s existing team focused on international projects. The new hires will join Executive Directors John Perrin and Mark Playle, Divisional Director Robert Webb, Associate Directors Orla Crosara, and Leandro Ramirez, and Connor Martiello, an account handler servicing international clients across Howden’s construction portfolio.
Speaking of the appointments, Naresh Dade, Managing Director, Global Head of Construction said:
“I am thrilled to be in the position here at Howden where we have the flexibility and autonomy to build our construction offering directly in line with the needs of our clients. Talent acquisition is central to our ambitious growth strategy and is evident in the tribe we have brought together. As a division and as a business we are excited to see how this highly experienced group of individuals will elevate our construction and infrastructure offering to rival that of any of our competitors.”
Appointments to the Executive Board of Credit Suisse Group: Christine Graeff as Global Head of Human Resources and Rafael Lopez Lorenzo as Chief Compliance Officer
Credit Suisse Group AG announced two internal appointments to the Executive Board of Credit Suisse Group.
Christine Graeff is appointed Global Head of Human Resources. She succeeds Antoinette Poschung who is retiring by the end of January 2022, entitled to her statutory retirement. Christine has been Global Head of Communications and Deputy Global Head of Human Resources since joining Credit Suisse at the beginning of the year. She will hand over Communications to her successor, for whom a search is ongoing. Christine will fully take over HR as per February 1, 2022 at the latest ensuring a smooth handover. Christine has a track record of leading transformations and has reshaped the Communications function since joining Credit Suisse. Her leadership and people skills together with her communications expertise will be key in leading the HR function through their essential part in delivering on Credit Suisse’s strategic objectives.
Rafael Lopez Lorenzo is appointed Chief Compliance Officer. Rafael is currently Global Head of Group Internal Audit. He will take over from Thomas Grotzer who, as previously communicated, led the function on an ad interim basis since April 2021, effective October 1, 2021. Rafael joined Credit Suisse in 2015 from JP Morgan Chase. He has a background in audit and banking. His track record in building and maintaining a leading Internal Audit team, in transforming and innovating its operating model as well as in building a strong bench of audit leaders has contributed to the stature of the function. His leadership, experience and deep understanding of the bank’s processes and challenges in the third line of defense will be key in leading the future Compliance function. In addition, Rafael has played a pivotal role in the review of recent incidents.
Both Christine and Rafael will join the Executive Board effective by February 1, 2022 at the latest, and October 1, 2021, respectively, reporting directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Gottstein.
António Horta-Osório, Chairman, and Thomas Gottstein, Group CEO commented on the appointments: “We congratulate Christine and Rafael on their new roles. Both have delivered excellent results and have strong management track records in leadership positions. These two appointments reflect the talent in Credit Suisse and the diversity of backgrounds and experience in our bank. They will both contribute to shaping and implementing the strategy of the bank going forward. We would like to specifically thank Antoinette for her invaluable contributions as a leader, which deserves particular recognition. She has provided exceptional support to the bank for 18 years in various positions and through challenging times. We would also like to thank Thomas for taking on the role of interim Global Head of Compliance in these challenging conditions.”
Since 2013, prior to joining Credit Suisse, Ms. Graeff was the Director General of Communications at the European Central Bank. Between 2001 and 2013, she was Managing Partner in the strategic communications firm, Brunswick, where she set up and developed the group’s German business, with a particular focus on the financial sector. Prior to that, she was at Burson-Marsteller in London. She started her career as an investment banker at Kleinwort Benson after graduating from the European Partnership of Business Schools, where she studied European Business Administration. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in 2015.
Prior to joining Credit Suisse’s Internal Audit team in 2015, Mr. Lopez Lorenzo was a Managing Director in the Investment Bank, Operations, Technology and Change at JPMorgan Chase in New York and earlier in Sao Paulo. Previously, he was a Senior Associate Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Global Risk Management Solutions in London where he focused on the Commercial and Industrial Products and Services and the electronic business. He developed his career in London, Chicago, New York, Sao Paulo and Zurich. He graduated from University of Huelva in Spain where he studied Economic Science and Business Administration and from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP), where he received a Masters in European Business, graduating “with merit”.
Proposed new appointments to the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group AG
The Board of Directors (Board) of Credit Suisse Group AG is calling an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and proposing Axel P. Lehmann and Juan Colombas for election as new non-executive members of the Board at such EGM to be held on October 1, 2021.
The Board of Credit Suisse announced the nomination of Axel Lehmann and Juan Colombas for election to the Board at an EGM of Credit Suisse Group AG to be held on October 1, 2021. Subject to their elections, the Board intends to appoint Axel Lehmann as Chair of the Risk Committee, succeeding Richard Meddings, who has held this role on an ad interim basis in addition to being Chair of the Audit Committee.
António Horta-Osório, Chairman of Credit Suisse, said: “I am extremely pleased that Axel Lehmann and Juan Colombas have been nominated to join our Board. With their deep experience in risk management and business leadership, and both with careers spanning approximately three decades in financial services, they will make an invaluable contribution as we shape the bank’s strategic realignment and enhance our culture of risk management and personal responsibility and accountability. I look forward to working closely with them in their new respective roles as members of the Board.”
Axel Lehmann is a seasoned financial services leader with a wealth of experience in risk management, operations and business leadership. He was most recently a member of the Group Executive Board of UBS Group AG, initially as Group Chief Operating Officer and then as President Personal & Corporate Banking and President UBS Switzerland, positions he stepped down from as of January 31, 2021. Between 2009 and 2015, Axel Lehmann served as a non-executive director and a member of the Risk Committee of UBS Group AG. During that time, he was the Chief Risk Officer and Regional Chairman for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Zurich Insurance Group. His career at Zurich Insurance Group spanned almost 20 years, nearly 14 of which were as a member of the Group Executive Committee in various roles. These include responsibility for the insurer’s European and North America business, group IT and as Chief Risk Officer. Axel Lehmann currently holds mandates at several academic and non-profit institutions, including serving as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Gallen. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Axel Lehmann is a Swiss citizen.
Juan Colombas has been a non-executive director and member of the Audit and Risk Committees at ING Group since 2020. He has extensive financial services industry experience with expertise in digital transformation, banking and risk management, and cyber security. His long experience as an executive in retail and commercial banking in the UK and Europe includes his recent position as Chief Operating Officer and previously Chief Risk Officer at Lloyds Banking Group spanning from 2011 to 2020. Prior to that, he spent 25 years with Santander Group where he was Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Santander’s UK business from 2006 to 2010. Before becoming Chief Risk Officer, he held a number of senior risk, control and management roles at Santander Group. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the Madrid Polytechnic University, a financial management degree from ICADE, Madrid, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Instituto de Empresa, Madrid. Juan Colombas is a Spanish citizen.
The EGM will, in light of the continuing exceptional circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be held without the personal attendance of shareholders, as provided for in the Ordinance 3 of the Swiss Federal Council regarding measures on combatting the Coronavirus. Shareholders shall be represented exclusively by the independent proxy. The invitation to the EGM will be published within the coming weeks.
Guy Carpenter announces senior Non-Marine Specialty appointments
Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, a leading global risk and reinsurance specialist and a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), announced the appointments of James Johns as Managing Director, effective August 12, 2021, and Joshua O’Donoghue as Senior Vice President, effective November 8, 2021, within its Non-Marine Specialty division.
In his new role, Mr. Johns will operate as a leading broker and account executive specializing in providing property risk and catastrophe reinsurance solutions for a broad range of direct and facultative clients. Based in London, he will report to Stephen Firmin, Managing Director, Non-Marine Specialty, Guy Carpenter.
Mr. O’Donoghue will be a senior broker and account executive, focusing on property retrocession, as well as direct and facultative reinsurance placements. Based in London, he will report to Roland Morse, Managing Director, NonMarine Specialty, Guy Carpenter.
Mr. Johns joins from Willis Re where he was an Executive Director specializing in London Market property reinsurance. During his 30-year career, spanning both broking and underwriting, he was also Global Head of Property at both Talbot Syndicate and Marsh UK, where he worked for 22 years. Mr. O’Donoghue joins from Aon where he was a Non-Marine Retrocession Broker and prior to this was a US Property Reinsurance broker at Willis Re. He has considerable expertise in the production and placement of property-specific business having worked across a wide range of client companies in London and Bermuda.
Commenting on the appointments, Richard Morgan, Head of Non-Marine Specialties, Managing Director, Global Specialties, Guy Carpenter, said: “I am delighted to welcome two incredibly skilled and highly respected market practitioners into our Non-Marine Specialty division. The combined experience and expertise that James and Josh bring to these roles will be vital in ensuring we continue to provide truly differentiated and extensive client value. They are joining a very strong and highly respected team and their introduction will help further elevate our standing in the Non-Marine Specialty sector.”
Appointments of Sylvain Cartier and Alexandre Fleury as Co-Heads of Global Market Activities
Societe Generale announced the appointments of Sylvain Cartier and Alexandre Fleury as Co-Heads of Global Markets activities as of 22 June 2021. They also become members of the Group’s Management Committee. They replace Jean-François Grégoire who will pursue new projects outside the Group.
Sylvain Cartier and Alexandre Fleury were respectively Head of Credit, Fixed Income & Currencies and Head of Equities & Equity Derivatives, positions which they will retain in their new roles. They report to Slawomir Krupa, Head of Global Banking and Investor Solutions.
“In the context of the implementation of our new strategic roadmap in Global Banking and Investor Solutions, this new management structure of the market division, tighter and under my direct supervision, will allow to strengthen day-to-day cooperation, alignment and agility within Global Markets, which is essential for the proper execution of our strategic initiatives and the added value we provide to clients. Sylvain Cartier and Alexandre Fleury are uniquely qualified to carry out these initiatives, with their long experience in market businesses and their expertise, both complementary and global.
On behalf of the General Management, I would like to thank Jean-François Grégoire for his contribution to the development of our markets activities around the world these past few years and, more recently, for overseeing the successful repositioning of the product range after the impacts of the crisis in 2020” said Slawomir Krupa.
Chubb Announces Leadership Appointments in its Accident and Health Business
Chubb has announced two leadership appointments in its North America Accident and Health (A&H) business that are intended to provide distribution partners and clients even greater access to A&H product offerings and resources.
Effective immediately, Suresh Krishnan, Chubb’s current Chief Operating Officer, North America Accident and Health, has been named Executive Vice President, Head of North America Specialty Accident and Health. In this expanded role, he will look to grow this critical business segment which offers accident and health insurance to businesses, educational institutions and affinity groups.
Mr. Krishnan will continue to report to Chris Martin, Division President of North America Accident and Health.
Reporting to Mr. Krishnan will be Lauren Gorte, who has been named Chief Operating Officer, Specialty Accident and Health. She will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to further leverage the company’s product and service offerings that focus on multinational travel accident and medical, business travel accident, and special risk business lines along with leading the retail field sales and underwriting teams. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Gorte served as Chubb’s Errors and Omissions (E&O) Product Manager.
“We are always looking for ways to meet the unique needs of the market, regardless of the business environment,” said Mr. Martin. “Having Suresh and Lauren in these roles positions us to provide comprehensive solutions for our customers and distribution partners.”
Mr. Krishnan joined Chubb in 1999 and has held a variety of executive-level positions. Previously, he served as Head of Chubb European Group’s Major Accounts Division, where he led the development of business strategies and metrics ensuring clients and brokers fully benefited from Chubb’s risk and underwriting expertise. Prior to the ACE acquisition of Chubb in 2016, he led Chubb’s Overseas General Insurance Division’s multinational and large accounts strategy. This included leading and managing the Global Client Executive Practice for Chubb’s Overseas General Insurance Division. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Juris Doctor from The University of Richmond School of Law.
Ms. Gorte joined Chubb in 2009 as a professional associate. She has close to a decade of production and field management experience in both the E&O and Cyber product lines. Throughout her career at Chubb, she has held a variety of leadership positions, heading up the Midwest region’s underwriting team and overseeing the Western region for E&O and Cyber, as well as managing the company’s Real Estate E&O portfolio. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Miami University, and holds a CPCU designation.
The American Club Announces New Appointments In Its Managers’ Piraeus Office
Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc. (SCB), Managers of the American Club, has announced important new appointments in its Piraeus office to consolidate and enhance service to Club Members and EOM Insureds both regionally and across the world.
Andrew Dyer, currently a partner in the Greek office of Hill Dickinson, a leading international law firm, will join SCB’s Piraeus office in early April as corporate Vice President. He will undertake the role of Regional Claims Director for the American Club’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with coterminous responsibility as Global Claims Manager for the Club’s Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM) facility.
A well-known figure within the maritime community, Mr. Dyer brings with him a wealth of professional experience gained from his more than twenty-five years as a solicitor and fourteen years as a partner of his firm. During his long career, Mr. Dyer has been involved in the broadest range of casualty and contract work, and every type of shipping dispute, both wet and dry.
In another new appointment in Piraeus, Niki Tiga takes on the role of Club Correspondents‘ Manager. Ms. Tiga has been part of the Club’s management team for some ten years, having started in the London office and having more recently moved to Greece. Her educational background, together with her experience of both P&I and FD&D claims handling, give her an excellent platform from which to fulfill her new duties.
In welcoming Mr. Dyer, SCB also says farewell to Despina Beveratou who has to date fulfilled Mr. Dyer’s forthcoming responsibilities in regard to EOM in SCB’s London office, as well as Ms. Tiga’s new duties as Correspondents’ Manager. Ms. Beveratou will be returning from London to Greece at the end of March to pursue new interests, and leaves with the best wishes of her colleagues for every future success.
Andrew Dyer
Mr. Dyer’s connection with the American Club and its Managers is of some longstanding not only personally but also by virtue of Hill Dickinson’s own long history of providing legal services to the maritime community both in Piraeus and in other major shipping centers.
Indeed, in noting Mr. Dyer’s change of career, Jasel Chauhan, head of Hill Dickinson’s Piraeus office, commented: “During his 25 years with Hill Dickinson, Andrew made an immense contribution and helped to forge some of our strongest relationships in the Greek market. Andrew will be missed but the role with the American Club is a fantastic opportunity and we wish him all the best.”
In addition, Tony Goldsmith, master mariner and head of Hill Dickinson’s marine business group, said: “We have always had an excellent relationship with the American Club – both in Greece and internationally. Having worked alongside Andrew as a colleague and a friend during the whole of his career at Hill Dickinson, his move can only serve to affirm and enhance that relationship. We very much look forward to working closely with the American Club and Andrew in his new role.”
In summing up these recent developments, Joe Hughes, Chairman & CEO of SCB, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Andrew to our global management team where I am certain his expertise will be of incomparable value to both the American Club and EOM over the years ahead. The warm words of farewell from Tony and Jasel speak to the legacy he leaves at Hill Dickinson and reinforce our confidence in Andrew’s continuing success in serving the Club and EOM in the future.”
“We also extend our congratulations to Niki on her appointment as Club Correspondents’ Manager. I am certain that she will discharge her new duties with her characteristic intelligence and vigor.
“Finally, we are very sorry to be saying farewell to Despina. Wherever her future endeavors may lead her, she departs with the best wishes of her colleagues in appreciation of her exemplary service over many years to the Club and EOM, and of the great energy and good humor she imparted to that service.”
Renewals and appointments of Board Members proposed to the General Meeting to be held on 18 May 2021
The Board of Directors, upon the proposal of the Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee, approved the proposed renewals and appointments of board members ahead of the Shareholders’ General Meeting to be held on 18 May 2021.
Mr Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman and CEO of Alstom, will be proposed as a board member to replace Mr Jean-Bernard Lévy. An independent board member since 2009, Chairman of the Compensation Committee and member of the Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee, Mr Jean-Bernard Lévy did not wish to seek his renewal for a fourth term in accordance with corporate governance best practice. Of French nationality, aged 51, Mr Henri Poupart-Lafarge will bring to the Board his experience as a leader of one of the largest French industrial companies, present in 60 countries worldwide. He does not sit on the board of any listed companies.
As a result of the non-renewal of Mr Jean-Bernard Lévy, Mr Jérôme Contamine, member of the Compensation Committee, will take over as its Chairman following the Shareholders’ General Meeting to be held on 18 May 2021.
Mr William Connelly, an independent Board member since 2017, Chairman of the Risk Committee since 2020 and member of the Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee since 2017, will be proposed for a second term. Of French nationality, Mr William Connelly brings recognised investment banking and asset management expertise to the Board. He is notably Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aegon N.V.
Ms Lubomira Rochet, independent board member since 2017 and member of the Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee since 2020, will be proposed for a second term. Of French and Bulgarian nationalities, Ms Lubomira Rochet particularly brings digital expertise to the Board. She is a member of the L’Oréal executive committee.
Ms Alexandra Schaapveld, an independent Board member since 2013, Chairman of the Audit and Internal Control Committee since 2017 and member of the Risk Committee since 2014, will be proposed for a third term. Of Dutch nationality, Ms Alexandra Schaapveld brings banking and financial expertise to the Board. She is a member of the Supervisory Board of Bumi Armada Berhad (Malaysia) and director of 3I PLC (UK).
In addition, a new board member representing employee shareholders must be appointed by the General Meeting to be held on 18 May 2021, pursuant to law No. 2019-486 dated 22 May 2019 relating to the growth and transformation of companies (the “Pacte Law”). As a result, the Board of Directors will increase from 14 to 15 members.
Finally, the two employees board members elected by the employees will be renewed following the General Meeting to replace the current board members, whose three-year terms expire at the end of the meeting.
If the General Meeting accepts these proposals, the Board of Directors will continue to comprise 41% women and over 90% independent board members, the three employee board members being excluded from the calculations. The Board has ensured that, in that way, it will have all the necessary skills to function properly, to carry out its mission of defining the strategy of the Societe Generale group and monitoring its implementation.
Biographies
Henri Poupart-LafargeBorn on April 10th, 1969, French
Graduated from École Polytechnique, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussée and Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT). Started his career at the World Bank in Washington as an associate in the Africa division (1992-1993), before moving to the French Ministry of Economy and Finance (1994-1998). He then joined Alstom where he held a number of positions. From 1998 to 2000, he was Vice President Finance – Head of Investor Relations. From 2000-2003, he was Chief Financial Officer of Transmission and Distribution at Alstom. In 2004, he was Senior Vice President Finance. From 2004 to 2010, he was Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Committee. From 2010 to 2011, he was Executive Vice President and President of Alstom Grid. From 2011 to 2016, he was Chairman of Alstom Transport, before becoming Chairman and CEO of Alstom in 2016.
William ConnellyBorn onFebruary 3rd, 1958, French
A graduate of Georgetown University in Washington (United States). From 1980 to 1990, he was a banker at Chase Manhattan Bank in the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom. From 1990 to 1999, he worked at Barings then ING Barings as Head of Mergers and Acquisitions in Spain and subsequently as Head of Corporate Finance for Western Europe. From 1999 to 2016, he performed various functions in the Investment Banking Division at ING Bank N.V. (Netherlands). His latest positions were Global Head of Corporate and Investment Banking and member of the Executive Committee, as well as Chief Executive Officer of ING Real Estate B.V. (an ING Bank subsidiary). He is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aegon N.V. and director of Amadeus IT Group.
Lubomira RochetBorn May 8th, 1977, French/Bulgarian
Graduated from Ecole Normale Supérieure, Sciences Po and the College of Europe in Bruges. From 2003 to 2007, Head of Strategy at Sogeti (Capgemini). From 2008 to 2010, Head of Innovation and Startups in France at Microsoft. Joined Valtech in 2010, be.came Chief Executive Officer in 2012. Since 2014, Chief Digital Officer and member of the Executive Committee of L’Oréal. She is a director of Founders Factory Ltd.
Alexandra SchaapveldBorn on September 5th, 1958, Dutch
A Dutch national, Ms Schaapveld graduated in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University (UK) and obtained a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands). She began her career at ABN AMRO Group in the Netherlands, where she held various posts in the Investment Banking division from 1984 to 2007, and was notably in charge of the bank’s major corporate clients. In 2008 she was appointed Head of Investment Banking for Western Europe at the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. She is a member of the Supervisory Board of Bumi Armada Berhad and director of 3I PLC.
New appointments to Alpha Bank’s Executive Committee
Moving forward in the implementation of its organizational restructuring program, as announced in November 2019, while aiming at enhancing productivity and offering high quality services to its Customers, Alpha Bank welcomes a new Senior Executive to its Management Team.
Effective December 1st, 2020, Mr. Stefanos Mytilineos is appointed General Manager – Chief Operating Officer and a Member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Mr. Spyros Filaretos is appointed General Manager – Growth and Innovation of Alpha Bank, in order to reinforce the incorporation of innovative solutions to the Bank’s operating model, aiming at further enhancing, particularly through digital channels, our Customers’ service experience and the Group’s profitability.
Artemios Theodoridis is appointed Executive Chairman of Cepal
As announced by Alpha Bank in November 2019, Mr. Artemios Theodoridis, Alpha Bank’s General Manager – Non-Performing Loans to date, steps down from the Bank’s Management Team, while remaining a Member of its Board of Directors, and is appointed Executive Chairman of Cepal, effective December 1st, 2020. Mr. Theodoridis will lead the Company’s growth course, following the carve-out process of Alpha Bank’s NPE Management Unit onto Cepal, which is an integral part of the large Galaxy transaction and a decisive step towards rendering Cepal -the first servicer licensed in the Greek Market- as the leading NPE management company in Greece.
The CEO of Alpha Bank, Vassilios Psaltis, made the following statement: “Alpha Bank evolves and remains the point of reference in the banking system of Greece. Today, we are pleased to welcome Stefanos Mytilineos to Alpha Bank. His long international experience as well as his excellent knowledge of the challenges facing Greece’s financial sector, can guarantee the modernization of our operating model, the further improvement of our efficiency and the acceleration of our Bank’s transformation program.
Stefanos Mytilineos is called to capitalize on the very significant progress already achieved in this specific area, under the responsibility to date of Spyros Filaretos, who continues his long-term service to Alpha Bank and will henceforth contribute even more actively to the faster introduction of innovative service solutions for our Customers.
At the same time, following his 20 years of contribution to Alpha Bank as a General Manager and a Member of our Board of Directors, Artemios Theodoridis undertakes the responsibility to establish Cepal as the market leader in the developing NPE Management sector. I want to thank Artemios for his outstanding contribution to the entire process of rationalizing the Bank’s balance sheet, particularly through Project Galaxy and to wish him best of luck in performing his new duties as Cepal Executive Chairman”.
Short CV of Stefanos Mytilineos Stefanos
Mytilineos was born in Athens in 1973. He holds a First Class degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bristol, UK, and an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. He brings onboard extensive international and Greek experience in technology, operations and business, having assumed managerial positions in Greece and abroad. He has been the Chief Technology Officer at Commercial Bank of Qatar and later on he was appointed General Manager, Digital Business at Piraeus Bank. Previously, he served as the Deputy Group CIO at Eurobank and a business consultant with McKinsey & Company, based in Athens and London.
Further to today’s appointment, effective December 1st, 2020, the Executive Committee of Alpha Bank consists of the following Members:
• Vassilios Psaltis, Chief Executive Officer
• Spyros Filaretos, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer
• Spiros Andronikakis, General Manager – Chief Risk Officer
• Lazaros Papagaryfallou, General Manager – Chief Financial Officer
• Sergiu Oprescu, General Manager – International Network
• Nikos Salakas, General Manager – Chief Legal and Governance Officer
• Ioannis Emiris, General Manager – Wholesale Banking
• Isidoros Passas, General Manager – Retail Banking
• Anastasia Sakellariou, General Manager – Chief Transformation Officer
• Stefanos Mytilineos, General Manager – Chief Operating Officer.