Nordea has announced that head of Nordea Life & Pension, Per Långsved, has been appointed as head of personal banking and a member of the Group Executive Board, effective 1 November.

The appointment follows Sara Mella’s decision to step down from her position as head of personal banking and operational roles to move on to the next phase of her career, where she will concentrate on board work.

Långsved joined Nordea in 2019 as head of personal banking in Sweden and country manager.

In addition to this, Nordea head of personal banking in Norway and country manager, Randi Marjamaa, has been appointed deputy head of business banking and a member of the Group Executive Board, effective 1 January 2027 at the latest. Marjamaa joined Nordea in 2006.

Commenting on the news, Nordea group CEO, Frank Vang-Jensen, said: “To deliver on our 2030 strategy, we are focusing on developing deeper relationships with our customers, leading the way in digital and personal customer experiences, and utilising our Nordic economies of scale and technology to boost efficiency and growth in Personal Banking. Per has driven significant growth through customer focus, collaboration and inspiring leadership.”

Vang-Jensen also extended Nordea’s thanks to Mella for “her valuable contributions and commitment”.

“Sara has played a key role in Nordea’s development, transformation and advanced digital solutions, and over the past seven years she has led Personal Banking with excellent results. I wish her all the best for the future,” he said.

Alongside this, Vang-Jensen said he is “delighted” to announce Marjamaa’s appointment.

“As a member of the Group Executive Board, Randi will contribute her extensive business acumen and her dedicated focus on Norway. She has been highly successful in driving growth and ensuring a customer-centric approach,” he continued.

The update also highlighted that Nordea’s Group Risk and Group Compliance will be merged, effective 1 January 2027.

The merger is intended to strengthen coordination between the units and improve efficiency by utilising shared technology and data expertise, enhancing risk control whilst preserving the Compliance unit’s independent second line of defence.

Mark Kandborg, who currently serves as chief risk officer (CRO) and head of group risk, will take on the role of CRO and head of the new Group Risk & Compliance unit. He will also continue as a member of the Group Executive Board.

Meanwhile, Nordea head of group financial crime compliance, Nahale Ståhl Hallengren, has been appointed as chief compliance officer, effective 1 January 2027. She will report to the Kandborg.

In addition to this, Nordea chief compliance officer and member of the Group Executive Board, Jamie Graham, has decided to step down from his roles.

The decision follows Graham's choice to move away from the Nordic region because of family reasons. He will step down from his roles on 31 December but will continue as a senior adviser until the end of March 2027.

“I would like to both congratulate Nahale and thank Jamie. Under Jamie’s leadership, Group Compliance has developed a clear governance structure and implemented robust controls that have resulted in significant risk reduction, and which are now firmly embedded in Nordea’s operations and underpin trust, resilience and sustainable growth,” Vang-Jensen said.

“I would like to thank Jamie for his wide-ranging expertise and strong commitment over the past 10 years. I wish him all the best for the future.”

The appointments are subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

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