Standard Chartered has appointed Ying Ying Tan as Global Head of Securities Services, effective immediately, according to a release dated Singapore, 14 October 2026. She has also been appointed Global Head of Digital Assets, with the same immediate effect.
Tan succeeds Margaret Harwood-Jones, who has taken on the role of CEO, UK & Europe. Tan continues to report to Ole Matthiessen, Global Head, Transaction Services & Digital Assets, and is based in Singapore.
REMIT SPANS CUSTODY AND DIGITAL ASSETS
In the securities services role, Tan will lead the business globally. She is responsible for strategy, growth and development across custody, fund services, clearing and related securities infrastructure solutions.
As head of digital assets, she will drive execution of the bank's digital assets agenda across businesses and functions. That covers custody, tokenisation, digital asset trading, financing and broader ecosystem partnerships. René Michau has moved to a senior advisory role, also reporting to Matthiessen, and will work closely with her.
Michau remains a key member of the Group's Digital Assets Steering Committee and continues to support the digital assets franchise. The bank said the appointment reflects the increasing convergence of traditional and digital finance as clients seek seamless access to a broader range of assets, market infrastructures and investment opportunities.
TAN'S RECORD AT THE BANK
Tan joined Standard Chartered in 2017 and has held a number of senior leadership roles. Most recently she was Global Head of Securities Services Product Management and Chief Operating Officer for the business.
The bank said she played a key role in building and commercialising its digital assets custody business and in advancing the broader product management strategy of securities services. Before joining, she held several regional and global leadership positions at Deutsche Bank across securities services, product management and transaction banking.
LEADERSHIP CHANGES AROUND THE FRANCHISE
Harwood-Jones was appointed CEO for Europe and UK, effective 1 September 2026. She had been Global Head of Financing & Securities Services, the unit whose securities services leadership is now changing. Under her the business was transformed, and the bank became a top three custodian across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with a digital assets custody proposition.
Matthiessen joined the bank in August 2026 as Global Head of Transaction Services & Digital Assets within Corporate & Investment Banking. He leads the integrated Transaction Services business, which oversees payments, liquidity, financing and securities services, and will steer the group's digital assets agenda.
DIGITAL ASSETS BUILD-OUT AND NEXT PHASE
Over the past few years, the bank said, it has established digital assets capabilities spanning custody, tokenised deposits, trading and tokenised money market funds. It continues to invest in the infrastructure, partnerships and expertise required to support clients as the market evolves. At a May 2026 investor event it said FSS Custody and Zodia Custody provide custody of tokenised securities and crypto assets.
Matthiessen said Tan's appointment "reflects the strength of our talent pipeline" and positions her to lead the next phase of growth. He credited her with a pivotal role in building and commercialising digital assets custody capabilities while developing the breadth of the Securities Services franchise. Tan said she looks forward to working with clients, partners and teams around the world to "help shape the next phase of growth of our Securities Services business and our ambitious digital assets agenda".