REG - Standard Chrtrd PLC - Maria Ramos Appointed as SCPLC Group Chair

Standard CharteredAnnouncement

04/02/2025 09:00

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RNS Number : 8300V  Standard Chartered PLC  04 February 2025

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 approvals(1),
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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