Ronaldo Batista Assuncao has been named interim CEO of Petrobras Argentina, the company says. Moving from within the company, he replaces Carlos Alberto da Costa, who leaves the post to take on other responsibilities with Petrobras in Brazil. The Brazilian state-controlled oil company has been discussing the sale of assets in Argentina under plan to divest $9.9bn in assets during 2013-2017, but recently said it has not seen any acceptable offers presented.
Category: People
Posted inDaily Brief
BAML DCM Banker Exits
Edgar Madinaveitia has left Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he was a director for LatAm debt capital markets, according to a person familiar with the move. The banker had been at the bank since 2006, mostly responsible for Mexico coverage. He was previously at UBS.
Posted inDaily Brief
Nomura Hires UBS Economist
Javier Kulesz has been joined Nomura as a managing director and senior desk analyst, the bank says. He joins from UBS, where he was chief LatAm economist, and will be based in New York and focus on Argentina and Venezuela. These were two of the countries covered by head strategist Boris Segura, who left Nomura in January. Kulesz had also previously been chairman of UBS’ Buenos Aires office, and has also worked at Fleet Boston and the World Bank.
Posted inDaily Brief
Electronics Retailer Names CEO
Via Varejo, the electronics retail unit of Grupo Pao de Acucar, has named Vitor Faga de Almeida as CEO, it says. He replaces Antonio Ramatis Rodrigues, who resigned last week after less than seven months on the job. Earlier this month, members of the Klein family, owners of 47% of Via Varejo, indicated they would sell about 16% of the company. Via Varejo runs the Casas Bahia and Ponto Frio stores.
Posted inDaily Brief
Codelco Renews Chairman
Chilean president Sebastian Pinera has reappointed Gerardo Jofre as chairman. He will serve a 4-year term with the state-owned copper producer. Jofre was appointed chairman in 2010.
Posted inDaily Brief
Via Varejo CEO Steps Down
Antonio Ramatis Rodrigues has resigned as CEO of Via Varejo, the electronics retail unit of Grupo Pao de Acucar, Via Varejo says. The move comes not long after his appointment in November 2012. It does not indicate reasons or who is to replace him. Earlier this month, members of the Klein family, owners of 47% of Via Varejo, indicated they would sell about 16% of the company. Via Varejo runs the Casas Bahia and Ponto Frio stores.
Posted inDaily Brief
UBS Names Brazil CEO
UBS has named Sylvia Coutinho as CEO of UBS Group Brazil, it says, effective June 24. She replaces Lywal Salles, who retires. Coutinho comes to the role from HSBC, where she has been head of retail banking and wealth management for Latin America and asset management for the Americas. Coutinho will become the first woman to be a CEO of the Brazilian business for an international bank, UBS says.
Posted inDaily Brief
Bank Chairman Leaves Chilean Bolsa Post
Pablo Granifo, the chairman of Banco de Chile, has resigned as a board member with the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago, the bolsa says. A replacement has not yet been named.
Posted inDaily Brief
Espirito Santo Americas Head Joins SMBC
Carl Adams has joined Sumitomo Mitsui (SMBC), where he is heading its LatAm operation, according to people familiar with the matter. He started last week, after leaving Espirito Santo, where he had been head of structured finance, project finance and origination for the Americas since 2008. Damian Polla is to fill Adams’ role at Espirito Santo.
Posted inDaily Brief
LatAm-focused Miner Names CFO
D. James Slattery has been named CFO of Capstone, the Canadian metals company says. He comes from Inmet Mining Corporation, where he was CFO for the last eight years. Copper-focused Capstone has a mine in Zacatecas, Mexico and is also involved in a development project in Chile in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation.