Standard Chartered PLC has announced the appointment of Maria Ramos as its new Group Chair, succeeding José Viñals, who will retire following the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 8, 2025. Maria’s appointment is subject to regulatory approvals.
Maria Ramos, 65, has been a member of Standard Chartered’s Board since January 2021 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. In 2022, she was appointed Chair of the Board Risk Committee and Senior Independent Director. A seasoned leader with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, Maria previously served as the CEO of Absa Group Limited (formerly Barclays Africa Group Limited) for a decade. Her background includes leadership roles across emerging and developing markets, along with broad international non-executive and chair experience.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Maria stated: “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.”
Maria also extended her gratitude to outgoing Chair José Viñals, acknowledging his leadership and contributions: “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.”
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Her appointment follows an extensive global search process led by Phil Rivett, Chair of the Selection Panel. Commenting on the process, Phil noted: “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.”
Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, also welcomed Maria’s appointment, saying: “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.”
José Viñals, who has served as Group Chair since 2016, expressed his support for Maria’s appointment: “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.”
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Beyond her tenure at Standard Chartered, Maria Ramos has built an impressive career spanning financial services and government leadership. She is currently a non-executive director at Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, from which she will retire on March 31, 2025. She is also a member of the Group of Thirty, serves on the International Advisory Board of the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University, and is on the Wits Foundation Board of Governors.
Her previous roles include serving as CEO of Transnet Ltd, a South African state-owned freight and logistics company, and as Director-General of South Africa’s National Treasury, where she played a pivotal role in its post-apartheid transformation. Additionally, she has held board positions at various international corporations, including Sanlam Ltd, Remgro Ltd, SABMiller plc, The Saudi British Bank, and AngloGold Ashanti Limited.