UBS Global Asset Management says its vice chairman Crispian Collins is to retire in March 2003.

“Crispian has decided to take the opportunity to move on from a full time City role,” the company said in a statement.

Collins, 55, joined Philips & Drew as a fund manager in 1969, becoming the vice chairman of UBS’ merged global asset management business in 2000. UBS did not comment on Collins’ replacement.

UBS Asset Management has 76.7 billion dollars (76.04 billion euros) in pension assets under management in Europe.