ING has announced that Ljiljana Čortan, the Dutch banking group's chief risk officer since 2021, will succeed Andrew Bester as head of wholesale banking. The appointment is subject to the requisite regulatory approvals and will take effect no later than ING's annual general meeting in April 2026. The announcement was published on 23 October 2025.
BESTER DEPARTS FOR NON-EXECUTIVE CAREER IN UK
Andrew Bester, who joined ING in April 2021 and has led the wholesale banking business as a member of ING's management board banking, is returning to the United Kingdom to enter the non-executive phase of his professional career. Bester will remain in position until Čortan's appointment is formally effective. ING's press release credited Bester with significantly strengthening the foundations of the wholesale bank and positioning it well for further growth.
The head of wholesale banking position carries membership of ING's management board banking.
REGULATORY APPROVAL AND CRO SEARCH
ING confirmed that the appointment remains conditional on the necessary approvals from relevant supervisory authorities. Čortan will step down from ING Groep's Executive Board when the change takes effect, and ING has begun a search for a new chief risk officer.