London, Feb 10, 2026, 09:14 GMT — Regular session.
- Standard Chartered shares slid roughly 4.5% at the open in London after news of the CFO’s exit.
- Bank has tapped Peter Burrill as interim finance chief while the search for a permanent successor continues.
- Attention shifts to the company’s full-year results due Feb. 24, with analysts also pointing to a strategy update in May.
Standard Chartered PLC tumbled roughly 4.5% early Tuesday in London, following news that Chief Financial Officer Diego De Giorgi has exited his role effective immediately. By 0914 GMT, shares traded at 1,813 pence, 86 pence lower than Monday’s finish, after starting out at 1,860 and slipping to as low as 1,808. 1
London-based Standard Chartered has tapped Peter Burrill, 54, to step in as interim group CFO, with a search for a permanent successor still underway. “Under his interim stewardship we remain well-positioned to capitalise on the strategic focus and momentum of our business,” CEO Bill Winters said. 2
The timing is abrupt. De Giorgi, a key figure behind the bank’s “Fit for Growth” cost and efficiency push, steps out just as results season winds down—right when investors are looking for fresh guidance and updates on targets.
De Giorgi is set to lead Apollo’s Europe, Middle East and Africa division, according to Reuters, marking his move into private capital as Standard Chartered continues its revamp—one that’s buoyed profit expectations. Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong-listed shares slid as much as 6.4% before trimming those declines. Reuters also pointed out the stock has mostly beaten HSBC’s since 2025. 3
Kathy Chan, equity analyst at Morningstar, flagged that the abrupt leadership change could unsettle investors, but she doesn’t foresee much disruption to operations as the bank wraps up its restructuring. “This should allow some breathing room for the bank to search for a suitable candidate for the permanent role,” she said. Jefferies’ Joseph Dickerson called the timing awkward, pointing to full-year results due this month and a strategy update coming in May. 4
According to the bank’s website, De Giorgi came on board at Standard Chartered in September 2023 before stepping into the group chief financial officer role this January. 5
Shareholders now wait to see if Burrill can tighten up the message on costs and execution when the bank reports next. Typically, it’s the finance chief who lays out progress against targets — and signals if the numbers are straightforward.
Still, a botched transition or shaky February guidance could leave the stock struggling, regardless of how the core business performs; when delivery is front and center, leadership questions hit harder.
Standard Chartered is set to report Q4 2025 and full-year numbers on Tuesday, Feb. 24, according to its investor calendar, with management slated to present later that morning. Investors watching for news on a permanent CFO appointment and the upcoming May strategy update will be eyeing that date as the next big driver for the stock. 6
