Former Lloyds Fonds management board chairman Torsten Teichert is the favourite to become president of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.
Die Welt reported that the former shipping finance executive is up against Buss Group boss Johann Killinger in a vote on Thursday.
The majority of members spoke in Teichert's favour at a closed session on Sunday.
Former Chamber head Tobias Bergmann resigned on 8 December.
Teichert left Lloyd Fonds in December 2017 after a difference of opinion on strategic direction.
Teichert and his supporters want to review and restructure the Chamber.
