David Hodnett was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank South Africa effective 10 October 2025, taking charge of Standard Bank Group's South African subsidiary. Standard Bank Group announced the appointment on 8 September 2025. The appointment was subject to regulatory approval, which the Prudential Authority granted before he took office.
Hodnett succeeds Sim Tshabalala, the Group Chief Executive, who had also served as interim CEO of Standard Bank South Africa since April 2025, following Kenny Fihla's departure to Absa.
FROM CHIEF RISK OFFICER TO CEO
Hodnett, a chartered accountant and former Absa finance director, joined Standard Bank in March 2019 and served as Group Chief Risk Officer, a role that also covered corporate affairs.
Standard Bank South Africa is the largest operating entity within Standard Bank Group and serves a broad range of retail, business, and corporate clients across South Africa.
Hodnett's move from Group Chief Risk Officer to SBSA CEO created a vacancy at the group level that was filled simultaneously as part of the September 2025 announcement. Thabani Ndwandwe was appointed to succeed Hodnett in the Group CRO position.
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