UBS has moved to further establish the local footprint of its Unified Global Alternatives (UGA) business with the appointment of Richard Johnson as Head of Unified Global Alternatives (UGA) Specialists Australia.
Johnson brings close to three decades of experience in global investment and funds management to the role and will take responsibility for spearheading the firm’s UGA-focused local distribution strategy, working closely with Wayne Gordon, Head of Advisory & Sales GWM Australia.
The UGA business combines UBS’ Asset Management and Global Wealth Management capabilities to service clients’ alternative investment needs through the development and delivery of a global open architecture platform that offers exposure to hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure and multi-alternative investment products.
The division also offers its sophisticated clients access to exclusive co-investments and secondary market opportunities.
“With this move, I am confident that we will be better positioned to provide our local Global Wealth Management and Asset Management clients with dedicated alternatives expertise and build stronger connections to UGA’s global platform,” Lukas Erard, UGA Head of Distribution (ex. US) at UBS, said in a company-wide announcement.
“We look forward to the contribution he will make to our clients and excited at the potential to the growth of our Australian franchise.”
Relocating from Zurich to Melbourne to commence in the new role from 1 November, Johnson will report to Gunther Jost, UGA Regional Head APAC, and Nicki-Marco Weber, Head UGA Asset Management Alternative Investment Specialists Ex-US.