4
February 2025
Standard Chartered PLC
appoints Maria Ramos to succeed José Viñals as Group
Chair
The Board of Standard Chartered PLC
(the "Company") announces that it has appointed Maria Ramos (aged
65) to succeed José Viñals as Group Chair,
as he approaches the end of his nine-year term. Subject to
regulatory approvals1, Maria will assume her new
position following the Company's 2025 AGM on 8 May 2025, when José
will retire from the Board.
Maria joined the Board as an
Independent Non-Executive Director in January 2021, and she was
appointed Chair of the Board Risk Committee and Senior Independent
Director in 2022. Maria is a seasoned
leader and former banker, with a wealth of experience from
leadership positions within the private sector and government,
including 10 years as CEO of Absa Group Limited (formerly Barclays
Africa Group Limited). She has extensive international
non-executive and Chair experience as well as a deep understanding
of operating across emerging and developing markets.
Maria Ramos said: "I am honoured to take on the role of Chair
at Standard Chartered at an important time in its continued
transformation. In my four years on the Board, I have experienced
the degree to which the organisation is trusted and valued by so
many clients and stakeholders across many of the world's most
dynamic markets. I look forward to working closely with the Board,
Bill, the Management Team and our global colleagues to deliver the
next phase of the Group's strategy and unlock the enormous
opportunities and growth potential of our business. Finally, I wish
to express my deepest thanks to José for his remarkable leadership,
contribution, and dedication to Standard Chartered. He leaves an
outstanding legacy. It has been a privilege to have worked
alongside José on the Board and I thank him for his generosity,
guidance and friendship."
Maria's appointment comes after an
extensive global search process led by Phil Rivett, Chair of the
Selection Panel. Commenting on the process, Phil added:
"Today's announcement of Maria's
appointment concludes a rigorous and wide-ranging search process
for José's successor, in which the Board considered a diverse range
of experienced and highly qualified candidates from across the
globe. Maria is an experienced Chair who benefits from a successful
career across the private and public sectors. Her knowledge of the
banking sector, as well as a deep understanding of the Group's
unique footprint stood out.
On
behalf of the Board, I would like to thank José for his exceptional
contribution and commitment to Standard Chartered over almost nine
years. As an industry leader, he has also played a key role in
contributing to the development of the international finance
sector."
Bill Winters said: "I am delighted to welcome Maria as the
Group's new Chair. Maria is a proven leader with deep industry
experience and strategic vision. I very much look forward to
working with her as we deliver the next phase of our growth. There
is significant momentum in the business, and I am confident that
Maria will help lead us as we innovate and execute for greater
value for our clients and other stakeholders. I would also like to
thank José for his
outstanding leadership through a time of extraordinary challenge
and renewal for our Company. He has been an excellent leader,
manager and partner."
José Viñals said: "I am very pleased by the choice the Board
has made to appoint Maria as Group Chair. I have full confidence
that she will continue to drive the Bank's progress and I look
forward to working with Maria in the next few months to ensure a
smooth handover."
Maria is currently a non-executive
director on the board of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, from
which she will retire after 13 years on 31 March 2025. She is a
member of the Group of Thirty, sits on the International Advisory
Board of the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University
and on the Wits Foundation Board of Governors. Maria served as chief executive officer of Absa Group Limited,
a diversified financial services group serving 12 African markets,
from 2009 to 2019. Before joining Absa, Maria was the group chief
executive of Transnet Ltd, the state-owned freight transport and
logistics service provider. Prior to her chief executive career,
Maria served as director-general of South Africa's National
Treasury (formerly the Department of Finance) where she played a
key role in transforming the National Treasury in the
post-apartheid administration.
Maria has also served on a number of
international boards, including Sanlam Ltd (2004 to 2008), Remgro
Ltd (2007 to 2009), and SABMiller plc (2008 to 2009). She was a
non-executive director of The Saudi British Bank (2019 to 2020),
Public Investment Corporation Limited (2019 to 2020) and Chair of
AngloGold Ashanti Limited (2019 to 2024).
ENDS
For further information, please
contact:
Shaun Gamble
Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 7766 443662
Additional Information:
Remuneration statement in relation to José
Viñals
After stepping down from the Board
on 8 May 2025, José will serve out the remainder of his six-month
notice period, which commences from the date of this announcement.
In accordance with his letter of appointment, he will continue to
receive his current fees and benefits until the end of his notice
period. This is disclosed in accordance with section 430(2B) of the
UK Companies Act 2006.
Remuneration statement in relation to Maria Ramos
The Chair does not participate in
any of the Company's incentive arrangements. As Chair, Maria Ramos
will have a contract for services with the Company. Maria Ramos
will receive a fee of GBP 1,293,000 per annum for her services as
Group Chair. She will also receive assistance with her relocation
to the UK, consistent with the support offered to individuals under
the Group's international mobility policy and additional benefits
associated with the role, all of which are within the scope of the
shareholder approved Remuneration Policy.
Shareholding and disclosures
Maria Ramos has no relationship with
any other Director, member of senior management or substantial or
controlling shareholder of Standard Chartered PLC.
Maria Ramos currently holds 2,000
shares in the Company. Maria Ramos' appointment as Chair of the
Company is subject to annual re-election by shareholders and
election at the 2025 AGM.
Save as disclosed above, there is no
other information to be disclosed under the requirements of UK
Listing Rule 6.4.8 (1-6) and Rule 13.51(2) of the Hong Kong Listing
Rules in relation to Maria Ramos' appointment as Chair.
Maria Ramos has
confirmed:
·
Her continued independence as regards each of the
factors referred to in Rule 3.13(1) to (8) of the Hong Kong Listing
Rules;
·
that she does not have any past or present
financial or other interest in the business of the Company or its
subsidiaries or any connection with any core connected person of
the Company; and
·
that there are no other factors that may affect
her independence at the time of her appointment.
1 Regulatory approval of the PRA, FCA and the right to work in
the UK.
Standard Chartered
We are a leading international
banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world's most dynamic
markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through
our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in
our brand promise, here for good.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on
the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
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