Michel Degen has used the past weeks to redefine Credit Suisse' asset management division in Switzerland and the EMEA region. He has now set his priorities and selected the team.

Michel Degen has been in charge of asset management in Switzerland and EMEA since September. He has concluded the selection of his team, which will look as follows, according to information obtained by finews.ch:

  • Distribution: Harald Reczek is charged with expanding this unit further. A team of asset management product specialists will support the distribution channels.
  • Equities: managed by Filippo Rima, has to focus on the core products. The expansion to Asia is a further priority.
  • Fixed Income: Luc Mathys has been named as the new boss of this unit. He will continue launching alternative fixed-income products.
  • Balanced Solutions (iMACS): to be integrated into asset management under the guidance of René Kueffer. Has to strengthen its profile with multi-asset-class fund solutions.
  • Index Solutions: Valerio Schmitz-Esser. Development of new customer groups through the opening of products to retail customers.
  • Real Estate: to be managed by Beat Schwab ad interim. The leadership position is said to be further enhanced and CS is to make it a priority to grow internationally. The bank also will expand its wealth management and consultancy offering to the very rich clients and institutional customers.
  • CS Energy Infrastructure Partners: Roland Doerig. CS expects long-term investment opportunities in energy infrastructure for institutional investors.
  • AM Germany and AM Italy (iMACS Italy): Karl-Josef Schneiders in Germany, Walter Sperb in Italy.
  • COO & Strategy and Business Management: Gebhard Giselbrecht and Pascal Schneider.

All managers mentioned above will report to Michel Degen directly (pictured above) and are members of the management committee asset management Switzerland & EMEA.

Strategic Priorities

Degen plans to set the following strategic priorities for asset management Switzerland & EMEA:

The investment performance stands first and foremost as the top priority. Only with an excellent performance and innovative products will we be successful in a competitive environment, he explained on Friday, adding that the potential can be used optimally with a powerful sales organization, aimed at gaining additional customers.

The digital transformation will be decisive for asset management, Degen also said, promising to push for investments and subsequent implementation.