Santander UK Appoints Mahesh Aditya as New CEO Ahead of Strategic TSB Integration
Experienced Santander executive set to lead the UK bank from March as it prepares to absorb TSB and drive future growth
Santander UK has appointed Mahesh Aditya as its next Chief Executive Officer, with the transition scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2026. The board confirmed that Aditya, previously Group Chief Risk Officer at Banco Santander since 2023, will succeed Mike Regnier, who announced his intention to step down in October 2025 after four years in the role.
Aditya brings more than three decades of experience in financial services to the UK’s retail and commercial banking arm.
His career spans senior positions at Citi, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Capital One, along with six years at Santander’s U.S. operations.
Prior to his current role as chief risk officer, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Santander Consumer USA from 2019 to 2023. He was appointed to the Santander UK boards in October 2025, giving him familiarity with the British business ahead of his elevation.
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for Santander UK, which is preparing to complete its acquisition of TSB, a major UK high street bank, expected later this quarter.
Aditya will be responsible for overseeing the integration of TSB’s operations into Santander UK’s platform, a complex strategic initiative that the group views as central to its ambition to enhance competitiveness, expand its customer base and drive long-term growth.
Tom Scholar, Chair of Santander UK, welcomed Aditya’s appointment, highlighting his deep industry knowledge and strategic vision.
Scholar noted that his leadership will be instrumental in navigating the next phase of transformation for the UK franchise.
Aditya echoed that sentiment, describing the role as an “important time” for the bank and underscoring the opportunities presented by the TSB acquisition to strengthen the institution’s market position and deliver greater value for customers and investors.
In conjunction with the CEO appointment, Santander announced executive leadership changes at the group level: Pedro Castro e Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal, is set to replace Aditya as Group Chief Risk Officer, and Isabel Guerreiro will take over as CEO of Santander Portugal.
These transitions reflect broader succession planning within the wider Santander organisation as it seeks to maintain momentum across key markets.
Aditya brings more than three decades of experience in financial services to the UK’s retail and commercial banking arm.
His career spans senior positions at Citi, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Capital One, along with six years at Santander’s U.S. operations.
Prior to his current role as chief risk officer, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Santander Consumer USA from 2019 to 2023. He was appointed to the Santander UK boards in October 2025, giving him familiarity with the British business ahead of his elevation.
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for Santander UK, which is preparing to complete its acquisition of TSB, a major UK high street bank, expected later this quarter.
Aditya will be responsible for overseeing the integration of TSB’s operations into Santander UK’s platform, a complex strategic initiative that the group views as central to its ambition to enhance competitiveness, expand its customer base and drive long-term growth.
Tom Scholar, Chair of Santander UK, welcomed Aditya’s appointment, highlighting his deep industry knowledge and strategic vision.
Scholar noted that his leadership will be instrumental in navigating the next phase of transformation for the UK franchise.
Aditya echoed that sentiment, describing the role as an “important time” for the bank and underscoring the opportunities presented by the TSB acquisition to strengthen the institution’s market position and deliver greater value for customers and investors.
In conjunction with the CEO appointment, Santander announced executive leadership changes at the group level: Pedro Castro e Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal, is set to replace Aditya as Group Chief Risk Officer, and Isabel Guerreiro will take over as CEO of Santander Portugal.
These transitions reflect broader succession planning within the wider Santander organisation as it seeks to maintain momentum across key markets.
