The Julius Baer boss' next career step is regularly the subject of speculation. Eight years into his tenure at the Swiss private bank, the CEO outlined his professional plans.
One of Switzerland's most promising young bankers, Boris Collardi, is regularly added to the mix of potential succession candidate at Swiss giants UBS and Credit Suisse – the only listed financial entities in Switzerland would represent a step up for him from Baer in terms of size.
He was also considered to helm the Swiss Bankers Association and as a partner at Geneva-based private bank Lombard Odier. Both those jobs have since been filled, and speculation over the 42-year-old's career ambitions as well as potential successors at the bank continues.
Collardi, who has led Baer since 2009, is famously private about his career ambitions and even close associates have little idea of his intentions. Asked about it on Wednesday, Collardi signaled he doesn't have the seven-year CEO itch.
From the Horse's Mouth
Instead of answering the personal question directly, Collardi elaborated at length about Vision 2020, Baer's mid-term plan to refurbish its aging technological infrastructure and platform, as well as efforts to rejuvenate senior leadership.
«I need to lead the strategy and the new team from the front and there, I’m fully committed,» Collardi concluded his remarks crisply.
Infrastructure and operational projects certainly aren't as exciting as the million-dollar deals Collardi chased in his early years with Baer, but any other answer from the CEO would have been a major surprise.
Collardi, who is known for a more volatile churn of staff than is typical for private banks, is well over the average shelf life of a CEO. But with everything going right for Baer at the moment, he is at leisure to plot his next move with a long-term view.
