X
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Events
Subscribe to our Newsletter
  • News
    • Markets
    • Regulation
    • Super
    • M&A
    • Tech
    • Appointments
  • Podcast
  • Webcasts
  • Video
  • Analysis
  • Promoted Content
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Markets
    • Regulation
    • Super
    • M&A
    • Tech
    • Appointments
  • Podcast
  • Webcasts
  • Video
  • Analysis
  • Promoted Content
No Results
View All Results
No Results
View All Results
Home News Appointments

UBS asset, wealth heads step down

After 10 years with the UBS group executive board, Ulrich Koerner has resigned from his roles as president of asset management and president of the company’s EMEA division, while group global wealth management co-president Martin Blessing has also stepped down.

by Sarah Simpkins
September 5, 2019
in Appointments, News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mr Koerner is remaining with UBS as senior adviser to the group’s chief executive until 31 March at the earliest. 

He has been president of UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa since 2011, as well as president of asset management since 2014. 

X

In his place, Suni Harford, head of investments for UBS Asset Management will be promoted to president of the division. 

Group chief operating officer Sabine Keller-Busse will succeed Mr Koerner as president, UBS EMEA, in addition to her current role.

Meanwhile, Mr Blessing will remain with UBS for a transition period until the end of the year. He has held the role of group global wealth management co-president since February last year. 

Replacing him will be a new addition to UBS, former International Wealth Management CEO Iqbal Khan, who will lead the UBS wealth management business alongside its current co-president Tom Naratil. 

Mr Blessing took the role of wealth management co-president after he was president of personal and corporate banking and president of UBS Switzerland from 2016 to 2018. 

UBS credited Mr Koerner with successfully repositioning the division from a fragmented multi-boutique structure to an effective and globally integrated business. 

As group chief operating officer from 2009 to 2013, he was said to establish a global service and control organisation which unlocked significant synergies for the firm.

UBS CEO Sergio P Ermotti said Mr Koerner made a significant contribution to the company’s strategic transformation after the global financial crisis.

“I congratulate Sabine on the expansion of her role. And I’m looking forward to having Suni and Iqbal join the group executive board,” Mr Ermotti said.

“Both of them bring strong leadership and people skills along with a track record of successful execution. They are great additions to the team and will help us drive sustainable growth and profitability.”

The new asset management president, Ms Harford, joined UBS in 2017, following a 24-year tenure at Citigroup. She was regional head of markets for North America during her last nine years at Citigroup.

Ms Harford started at Merrill Lynch & Co in investment banking.

The new head of UBS EMEA, Ms Keller-Burse, was named group COO at the start of 2018. 

She joined the company in 2010, first holding the role of chief operating officer of UBS Switzerland and then group head of human resources. 

Prior to UBS, she led Credit Suisse’s private clients business and also advised financial services firms across Europe as a McKinsey & Company partner. 

Mr Khan was a member of the executive board at Credit Suisse from 2015 to 2019, and before that he was chief financial officer of private banking and wealth management at Credit Suisse. 

Prior to that, he had been with Ernst & Young, Switzerland, where he held various positions including managing partner of assurance and advisory services – financial services.

All changes are effective 1 October.

Related Posts

ASIC seeks super sector feedback on proposed disclosure changes

by Adrian Suljanovic
November 28, 2025

The regulator invited industry feedback on stamp duty and private debt disclosure reforms following its targeted review of investment reporting....

Infrastructure to Bounce Back?

Is Australia’s infrastructure sector vanishing from the ASX?

by Olivia Grace-Curran
November 28, 2025

Australia’s infrastructure landscape continues to shrink on the ASX, with just eight companies remaining - down from 14 in 2017...

How digital assets could transform Aussie portfolios

by Olivia Grace-Curran
November 28, 2025

The next wave of wealth creation may not stem from stocks or property, but from assets Australians have rarely viewed...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

VIEW ALL
Promoted Content

Global dividends hit a Q3 record, led by financials.

Global dividends surged to a record US$518.7 billion in Q3 2025, up 6.2% year-on-year, with financials leading the way. The...

by Capital Group
November 18, 2025
Promoted Content

Why smaller can be smarter in private credit

Over the past 15 years, middle market direct lending has grown into one of the most dynamic areas of alternative...

by Tim Warrick, Managing Director of Principal Alternative Credit, Principal Asset Management
November 14, 2025
Promoted Content

Members Want Super Funds to Step Up Security

For most Australians, superannuation is their largest financial asset outside the family home. So, when it comes to digital security,...

by MUFG Pension & Market Services
October 3, 2025
Promoted Content

Boring Can Be Brilliant: Why Steady Investing Builds Lasting Wealth

In financial markets, drama makes headlines. Share prices surge, tumble, and rebound — creating the stories that capture attention. But...

by Zagga
October 2, 2025

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

Latest Podcast

Podcast

Relative Return Insider: US shares rebound, CPI spikes and super investment

by Adrian Suljanovic
November 28, 2025
After more than two decades, InvestorDaily continues to be an institution that connects and influences Australia’s financial services sector. This influential and integrated media brand connects with leading financial services professionals within superannuation, funds management, financial planning and intermediary distribution through a range of channels, including digital, social, research, broadcast, webcast and events.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • Markets
  • Appointments
  • Regulation
  • Super
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Tech
  • Promoted Content
  • Analysis

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
  • News
  • Markets
  • Regulation
  • Super
  • M&A
  • Tech
  • Appointments
  • Podcast
  • Webcasts
  • Promoted Content
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited