Deutsche Börse hires Unicredit’s Germany chief as new CEO

Deutsche Börse named Unicredit banker Theodor Weimer as its new chief executive on Thursday as it attempts to move beyond an insider trading inquiry and a failed merger with the London stock exchange.

Mr Weimer, who has headed Unicredit's Germany unit, will take the reins from Carsten Kengeter, who resigned from the German exchange operator amid an ongoing insider-trading investigation. Mr Kengeter has denied any wrongdoing.

The changing of the guard propels Mr Weimer to the pinnacle of German finance and comes at a crucial moment for Deutsche Börse. It hopes to position itself to profit from Britain’s decision to leave the European Union by capturing a portion of the lucrative euro clearing market that is currently centred in London.

"We are relieved that an appropriate successor could be found quickly," said Ingo Speich, fund manager at Union Investment. "Most importantly, Deutsche Börse can now fully focus on business as usual with an untainted leader."

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Mr Weimer (57) will start his new job in January. He began his career in consulting for McKinsey and then Bain, before becoming an investment banker with Goldman Sachs where he was promoted to partner in 2004.

He joined Italian bank Unicredit in 2007, first as head of global investment banking and then as the head of German operations.

Political contacts

Mr Weimer, an amateur pianist, fulfils many of the requirements that Joachim Faber, chairman of Deutsche Börse's supervisory board, has said would be needed for the top job, including German as a native language, good political contacts and a strong knowledge of regulation.

At Unicredit, where he was responsible for nearly 14,000 staff, he was well respected. “He has the necessary grace for the job at Deutsche Börse,” said an employee representative on Unicredit’s works council in Germany. “Our preference would be for him to stay.”

Deutsche Börse has said that it will shy away from big acquisitions.

Mr Kengeter, just months into the job, designed a bold merger with the London Stock Exchange to create a global titan in the industry, but the merger plan eventually collapsed, costing shareholders tens of millions of euros in advisory and legal fees.

– Reuters