By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
RALPH Nash will take up his expanded new role as Deutsche Bank’s Head of Anti-Financial Crime later this week.
He takes up the global role following the departure of Nita Patel from Deutsche for personal reasons. He had previously been Head of AFC for EMEA and now takes on the expanded role.
Ralph will be based in Frankfurt and report directly to management board member Laura Padovani.
Deutsche announced the leadership change within its Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime division this week.
“Nita Patel, Head of Anti-Financial Crime and Group Anti-Money Laundering Officer, has decided to leave the bank for personal reasons. Since joining the bank in September 2024, she has reshaped the Anti-Financial Crime division and strengthened its capabilities as a proactive risk management function to protect the bank’s clients in all market conditions.
“As Nita Patel’s successor, effective August 1, Deutsche Bank appointed Ralph Nash, who joined the bank in May as Head of AFC EMEA and Global Head of Regions and Standards. He brings over 30 years of banking and regulatory experience, and previously held senior risk, compliance and anti-financial crime roles at HSBC.
“We are grateful to Nita for her dedication and achievements that have strengthened our Anti-Financial Crime function,” said Laura Padovani, member of the Management Board and Chief Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime Officer.
“She hands over a function that is more robust and better able to anticipate risks for the benefit of our clients. I wish her every success in future,” said Padovani.
Padovani continued: “Ralph is a well-respected risk management leader who has proven he can deliver lasting change in global organisations. With his extensive experience, and a strong team behind him, we are well-positioned to continue advancing our efforts in financial crime prevention.”
The lender said Nash “brings a strong track record of leading risk and compliance functions”.
“Backed by a highly capable team and his extensive experience, we are well-positioned to continue advancing our efforts in financial crime prevention,” it said.
Nash replaces Nita Patel, who previously worked as Credit Suisse’s compliance chief. He previously announced the move, saying he will head the group’s EMEA AFC operations.
Deutsche also announced Simone Kaempfer will become its general counsel. He joins from the law firm Freshfields, to succeed Friederike Rotsch.
The moves come as the German lender works to clear up legal issues and improve its financial crime controls.
Over the years, Deutsche Bank has faced a variety of compliance and legal issues. The reshuffle follows a shake-up of the management board in March.
“Further strengthening and developing our internal controls remains a priority for us,” Deutsche Bank Chairman Alexander Wynaendts told shareholders in May.
Mr Nash most recently served as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at HSBC. He spent a total of almost 11 years with the lender. During this time, he held senior roles including Chief Compliance Officer at HSBC UK’s Global Wealth and Personal Banking division.
Other previous senior roles Nash held include Chief Control Officer at Lloyds Banking Group and Global Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Barclays Bank.
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