Switzerland’s Credit Suisse Group has named Pamela Thomas-Graham to its executive board as chief talent, branding and communications officer, a newly created post.

Thomas-Graham, aged 46, who will report to the Zurich-based bank's chief executive, Brady Dougan, brings Credit Suisse's top management to 13.

Thomas-Graham, who has worked in retail, media and finance, is a former president and CEO of financial news broadcaster CNBC, and was most recently an executive at Angelo, Gordon & Co., a New York-based private equity firm.

A consultant at Switzerland’s independent brokerage company, Helvea, was surprised at the move.

“Considering how successful Credit Suisse has been in the current crisis, such an appointment does seem surprising, especially as it brings someone with no obvious banking experience on the executive board,” says a note written by Helvea analyst Peter Thorne.

Thomas-Graham assumes some influence from Harald Stoehr and Charles Naylor, who were previously responsible for human resources and communications, respectively. Both will now report to Thomas-Graham instead.

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