UBS has initiated a leadership transition within its O’Connor unit after the co-heads of the capital solutions strategy, Rodrigo Trelles and Baxter Wasson, declined offers to join Cantor Fitzgerald. According to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, both executives opted not to move to the U.S. brokerage despite earlier expectations tied to Cantor’s planned acquisition of O’Connor.
In their place, UBS O’Connor has appointed Gregory Najarian as portfolio manager, effective immediately. Najarian will lead the team with support from Jaeho Choi and Joshua Mercado, signaling UBS’s efforts to maintain stability within the capital solutions business during a broader strategic shift. Bloomberg News was the first to report the developments.
The transition follows a challenging period for UBS. Earlier this month, the Swiss banking group confirmed it would wind down certain investment funds operated by O’Connor after losses linked to exposure to First Brands Group, a U.S. auto parts supplier that recently filed for bankruptcy. The decision highlights UBS’s ongoing effort to streamline its operations and reduce risk across its alternative investment portfolio.
O’Connor, a long-standing alternatives platform under UBS, spans hedge funds, alternative credit, and commodities strategies. Despite the restructuring, UBS continues to position the platform as an important part of its broader investment offering.
Cantor Fitzgerald, meanwhile, had reached an agreement earlier this year to acquire O’Connor as part of its own expansion into alternative investments. The move was seen as a strategic step for Cantor, while UBS has been reshaping its business following the landmark merger with Credit Suisse in 2023.
The leadership changes and fund wind-downs reflect a period of transition for UBS as it refocuses on core priorities, manages legacy risks, and prepares for the next phase of integration and consolidation post-merger.


JPMorgan Plans More Asia-Pacific Hiring in 2027 as Corporate Banking Revenue Surges
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises
Nvidia Secures $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Push With Wall Street Giants
Berkshire Hathaway Cash Falls as Abel Boosts Stock Buybacks
US Judge Dismisses Gautam Adani Criminal Charges
Cloudflare Stock Jumps 15% as Earnings Beat Estimates, 2026 Outlook Raised
Mercedes-Benz Stock Offers Deep-Value Potential as Citi Sees Recovery Catalysts
Airbnb Stock Jumps After Q2 Earnings Beat, Strong 2026 Outlook
Qantas Shares Climb as Long-Haul Pilot Deal Eases Strike Concerns
UOB Q2 Net Profit Rises 10% as Wealth Management Growth Boosts Earnings
Natura Q2 Profit Plunges 92% as Financial Expenses Weigh on Earnings
Meta Ordered to Pay $567M Over Child Safety Violations in New Mexico
Treasury Wine Estates Shares Jump as U.S. Overhaul Lifts FY2026 Outlook
Shein Scales Back Vietnam Operations as US Trade Rules Shift
SoftBank Q1 Profit Beats Forecast as Intel Rally and OpenAI Investments Boost Returns
Daimler Truck Q2 Profit Falls 18%, 2026 Outlook Raised
Deutsche Bank Upgrades Persimmon to Buy After Strong First-Half Results 



