Keen hunter Hubert bags the top job in dynastic bank

DYNASTIC Swiss bank Lombard Odier has ended years of speculation about who would take over from retiring boss Patrick Odier as senior partner. The answer is — shock, horror — a London-based banker not drawn from the founding families. Partner Hubert Keller, for it is he, does have the kudos of having had a father who was also a partner, but his charms are not universally acclaimed internally, hence his nickname “Killer”. Apparently, his aggressive instincts aren’t just aimed at his career; feathered and fluffy animals also get the Killer treatment. Spy hears he’s a keen member of the posh Warwickshire Hunt, which numbers Stephen Hester among its members. Apparently, he recently bought Brailes Hill in Warwickshire, bagging himself one of the country’s most-acclaimed pheasant shoots. Were it any other investment firm, one might ask: where are the customers’ pheasant shoots? But most Lombard Odier clients probably have two or three already.

MIKE ASHLEY-founded Sports Direct warned this week of uncertainty over the performance of House of Fraser, but Spy has learned plans are afoot to boost sales. Ashley, pictured, who bought the chain last summer, wants to open some 30 more Frasers over the next five years. He’s just hired restaurant property agent CDG Leisure to seek food and drink firms to set up concessions in new branches. CDG’s chairman David Abramson says: “We are in discussions with a number of concepts including artisan coffee operators, celebrity chefs, food markets and juice bars.” How swish. But will celebrity chefs fancy throwing in their lot with power-drinking Mike?