Abrdn Appoints Jason Windsor as New CEO

Abrdn plc (LON: ABDN) announced the appointment of Jason Windsor as its new Group Chief Executive Officer in a press release on Tuesday.

Windsor has been serving as the abrdn Interim Group CEO since May 2024 following the “strategic repositioning of the company to a specialist asset manager, and a digitally-focused wealth manager.”

Windsor's appointment comes over three months after former CEO Stephen Bird stepped down following the strategic repositioning. Bird's departure ended a turbulent four-year tenure, which saw outflows of client cash and a much-criticised rebranding. The rebranding saw the company drop the vowels from its name and become abrdn rather than Standard Life Aberdeen.

At the time, analysts at RBC Capital said they saw the “change of leadership as an opportunity for someone to take a fresh look at the best strategy to take abrdn forward.”

Abrdn said Windsor's appointment follows a thorough succession process that considered both internal and external candidates. The Board unanimously selected Windsor to lead abrdn in its next phase of growth.

Sir Douglas Flint, Chairman of abrdn, expressed his confidence in Windsor's leadership and his ability to drive the company forward.

“He has made a huge impression both internally and externally since he joined abrdn, particularly as someone whose actions evidence he cares deeply about our clients and customers and our people,” he stated.

Windsor himself said he is committed to realising the potential of abrdn's three core businesses and building a more efficient, growing business with a sustainable culture.

Ian Jenkins will continue to serve as the Interim Group Chief Financial Officer while the search for a permanent replacement is underway.