Standard Chartered PLC appoints Maria Ramos to succeed José Viñals as Group Chair

London – 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).

For further information please contact:

Shaun Gamble
Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 7766 443662

¹ Regulatory approval of the PRA, FCA and the right to work in the UK.