The Swiss bank is putting its investment bank in New Zealand under new management, shortly after a wider shakeup of its top management in Asia-Pacific.

UBS is promoting investment banker Chris Simcock to run its wider securities activities in New Zealand. He replaces Nicholas Ross, who has held the role for seven years, and who will remain with the Swiss bank but relinquish management responsibilities.

A seven-year veteran of UBS, Simcock is currently New Zealand head corporate client solutions, which includes mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He will keep that role after his promotion.

«AFR» first reported the move, which is effective immediately.

Predecessor Remains

Simcock will be responsible for strategic direction and bottom line performance of UBS' investment bank in New Zealand, the bank said. Key New Zealand bankers including David Lane, head of equities, and Marcus Curley, who leads equity research, will remain in their roles, UBS said.

After stepping down from management, Ross will be responsible for some local coverage, support some origination deals and key relationships in corporate finance and equities in New Zealand.

The change comes shortly after UBS retrieved key dealmaker David Chin to run its wider Asia-Pacific investment bank, and moved longtime investment bank executive Sam Kendall to New York to run its equity capital markets arm.