| Headline: Is this the man to run Merrill? Source: Euromoney Date: May 2001
It is, Euromoney is told later, the first time he has been asked publicly to state whether he would be interested in running the US financial services firm, and his response is typically reserved. Colleagues describe him as straightforward, engaging, decent, and a man with a clear vision and a good sense of humour. “It certainly doesn’t take up all my time,” he continues. “But yes, I do think about it occasionally. It would be a huge job, and a huge honour. But this job is big enough for now.” By the end of the year he and the other two main candidates – head of CICG Thomas Davis and head of private client Stan O’Neal – ought to know their fate. Although incumbent CEO David Komansky is not due to retire until 2004, he has let it be known that he and the board are to decide on who will fill the all-important post of president by the start of 2002. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||