UBS Group AG is reorganizing its group research, analytics and communications activities under a new unit that will launch in 2020, finews.com reported Dec. 23, citing a memo.

Juan Luis Perez will lead the new unit and report directly to UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti. He will also attend executive board meetings as a guest, according to the memo seen by finews.com.

The unit will work across all bank divisions to support them in daily operations and set best practice examples, the report said.

Kristina Lunoe will be chief of staff at the new unit; Barry Hurewitz will take over evidence lab innovations and Daniel Dowd will take the reins of research — all reporting to Perez, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Mark Hengel will take responsibility for corporate communications ad interim along with leading external communications. He will also report to Perez, while UBS' head of group marketing and communication services, Liv Brahin, will report to Hurewitz.