Standard Chartered, has appointed Roberto Hoornweg as Chief of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) division, effective immediately.
This move comes as his former co-head, Sunil Kaushal, prepares to retire on March 31, 2026, after a distinguished 27-year tenure with the bank.
Hoornweg, who has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s global financial markets strategy since joining in 2017, now steps into sole leadership of a division critical to Standard Chartered’s operations across emerging markets.
Background
Roberto Hoornweg’s international upbringing laid the foundation for a career deeply rooted in global finance.
Born to a Dutch diplomat father and an Italian mother, he spent his first 18 years in Rome, Italy, immersing himself in a multicultural environment that fostered a broad worldview.
This diverse heritage, blending Dutch pragmatism with Italian flair, has often been credited for his emphasis on “diversity of thought” in professional settings, a principle he champions as essential for innovation and decision-making.
Career Trajectory
Hoornweg’s professional journey spans over three decades in investment banking, marked by leadership roles at some of the industry’s giants.
He began making waves at Morgan Stanley, where he served as Head of Global Interest Rates, Credit, and Currencies, honing his skills in managing complex financial instruments and navigating volatile markets.
Hoornweg transitioned to UBS, where he held senior positions in global markets, further solidifying his reputation as a veteran banker adept at handling multinational operations.
His expertise caught the eye of Standard Chartered, and in 2017, he joined the bank as Global Head of Financial Markets, based in Singapore.
This role involved leading teams that support major corporates and financial institutions worldwide, with a focus on risk management and market expansion.
Under his stewardship, Standard Chartered’s financial markets division saw significant advancements, including innovative approaches to digital assets and blockchain technology.
Hoornweg has been vocal about the potential of these tools to revolutionize trade finance, predicting that the digital asset market could reach $10 trillion by 2026.
In March 2024, as part of a broader management reshuffle following the departure of Simon Cooper, Hoornweg was appointed Co-Head of Corporate and Investment Banking alongside Sunil Kaushal.
Beyond Standard Chartered, Hoornweg’s influence extends to external boards. In January 2025, he joined the board of MarketAxess, a leading electronic trading platform, bringing his insights on capital markets to the fintech space.
Hoornweg’s tenure at Standard Chartered has been defined by a commitment to sustainable growth and innovation.
As Co-Head of CIB, he played a key role in advancing blended finance strategies to address infrastructure gaps in emerging markets, collaborating with export credit agencies and private credit providers to fund high-impact projects.
A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Hoornweg serves as the sponsor for SC Pride, Standard Chartered’s LGBT+ employee network.
He has shared personal insights on fostering inclusive workplaces, drawing from his experiences to promote policies like equitable parental leave and open collaboration.
In interviews, he has stressed that diverse perspectives not only enhance team performance but also better serve a global client base.