Credit Suisse creates PR post with global remit

Credit Suisse Asset Management is seeking a global head of PR to be

based in London. The post is a new one, created to improve Credit

Suisse’s relations with world markets and financial journalists.

Credit Suisse Asset Management, which manages large institutional fund

accounts, has no communications department based in London and no

retained PR agency. Press relations are handled from Credit Suisse’s

headquarters in Zurich.

The move to appoint a global head of PR and step up its communications

activity puts Credit Suisse in line with other asset management

groups.

The asset management division is part of Credit Suisse First Boston

(CSFB), the investment banking arm of the Swiss bank. CSFB was created

in 1978 following a joint venture between Credit Suisse and US

investment bank First Boston. Its main offices are in London and

Geneva.

The appointment of a global PR director comes as the Credit Suisse Group

becomes an increasingly important world player in both asset management

and corporate banking.

In August Credit Suisse announced a merger with Swiss insurer Winterthur

and CSFB is currently tipped to buy Barclays’ investment bank BZW. The

two management teams are reported to be involved in prolonged

discussions over a price for BZW.