UBS has hired a former U.S. football star to take a leading role at its asset management division. He will lead a $100 billion global investment platform.
Switzerland’s No. 1 bank appointed Joseph Azelby as head of real estate and private markets business, the bank said in a statement on Monday. Azelby will take charge of the global investment platform for real estate and private markets with $100 billion in assets under management. The booming business is active in 14 markets and has 550 employees.
Ulrich Koerner, the head of UBS’s asset management division, has given Azelby the task of further expanding the real estate and private markets franchise. Azelby will focus on developing innovative products and delivering attractive returns.
Linebacker for Buffalo Bills
Azelby is well versed in achieving growth, having been active as chief executive of J.P. Morgan’s global real assets business for almost two decades. Azelby built a leading platform spanning private and public real estate, infrastructure and maritime investments across the U.S., Europe and APAC, UBS said.
Most recently, Azelby was senior partner and head of real assets at Apollo Global Management, where he helped reshape the real estate business. In the 1980s, Azelby was a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.
Predecessor Steps Up
Azelby succeeds Thomas Wels who has been appointed divisional vice chairman for UBS’ asset management. He will continue to act as a senior adviser, UBS said.
