abrdn CEO Stephen Bird steps down

Written by Michael Griffiths

24/05/2024

abrdn has confirmed that its group CEO, Stephen Bird, is stepping down after a four-year run in the role.

The asset manager said it was the “right time” for Bird to hand over the reins to the team he has assembled over the last four years, to “drive the business forward”.

Bird led the group’s £1.49bn acquisition of Interactive Investor in 2022 and also oversaw the firm’s name change from Standard Life Aberdeen after the Standard Life business was sold off, to abrdn.

On his departure, he said: “It has been a privilege to lead abrdn through an intensely challenging time in our industry and I am grateful to my colleagues for their support and commitment to serving our clients with distinction.

“I leave the company well positioned, having embedded greater diversification of revenues, retained a strong capital position and, most importantly, developed a refreshed leadership team which is ready and eager to take on the challenge of realising abrdn's full potential.”

abrdn has confirmed that the group’s current chief financial officer, Jason Windsor, has been appointed as Interim Group CEO, subject to regulatory approval.

The firm indicated it will conduct a formal search process that includes the consideration of external candidates.

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