People Moves: 27/01/2025

ICYMI - Leadership reshuffles across Asia at UBS, Ethan Lebowitz appointed as COO to succeed Steven Plust, and two Partner appointments announced by Thrings' Real Estate team

In today’s newsletter, Energy & Infrastructure Moves understands that Wiwi Gutmannsbauer has been appointed COO of UBS in Asia, according to sources at Finews Asia. The appointment is effective 1 January 2025. This is in addition to Gutmannsbauer’s current role as Global COO of UBS Wealth Management. He will be based in Singapore and Zurich. This follows the appointment of Iqbal Khan as President of UBS in Asia Pacific.

In other news, Energy & Infrastructure Moves has learned that Ethan Lebowitz, Managing Director at Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYSE: GPMT), will succeed Steven Plust as Chief Operating Officer effective no later than May 1, 2025.

Mr. Lebowitz will serve as Deputy Chief Operating Officer until the COO transition is effective. Also, as part of a seperately reported reshuffle, Patrick Halter and Lazar Nikolic have each been appointed to the Board of Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc., as Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members, respectively, effective immediately.

Lastly, Energy and Infrastructure Moves can reveal that according to sources at Business Biscuit, Swindon-headquartered law firm Thrings has appointed two new partners to its commercial property team. Kate Egan-Martin joins Thrings from HMRC and Naomi Manton from Persimmon Plc, respectively.