Prudential has appointed former HSBC chairman Douglas Flint as its new chair, effective immediately. The announcement was made on March 7, 2025, as Flint takes over from Shriti Vadera, who has held the position since January 2021 and is retiring. Flint’s extensive experience in the financial sector positions him well to lead Prudential into its next phase of development.
Flint’s career spans notable roles at HSBC, where he served as chairman from 2010 to 2017 and as group finance director from 1995 to 2010. His leadership at HSBC came during a transformative period for the bank, navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing global financial landscape. Since 2018, Flint has chaired both IP Group and AberdeenJeremy Anderson, senior independent director at Prudential, highlighted his extensive experience leading global financial institutions, particularly in Asia. “Douglas is ideally positioned to lead the next stage of the Group’s development, taking forward the strong foundations and momentum created during Shriti’s tenure,” Anderson stated.
Under Vadera’s leadership, Prudential has seen significant growth. The firm reported a pre-tax operating profit of $1.6 billion for the first half of 2025, marking a six percent increase year-on-year. Additionally, the company raised its dividend by 13 percent to 7.71 cents per share, with expectations to grow dividends by more than ten percent during the 2025-2027 period.
Anil Wadhwani, Prudential’s chief executive, remarked on Flint’s appointment, stating, “Douglas brings extremely valuable expertise to the board, and his deep knowledge of Asia is particularly important for the company. I look forward to working with him to shape the next phase of Prudential’s growth.”
Vadera expressed confidence in Flint’s capability, stating, “I am delighted Douglas will succeed me as we complete the delivery of our current transformation plan and start to consider the next phase of Prudential’s growth strategy. His deep understanding of global finance and extensive knowledge of Prudential’s markets will be invaluable.”
Vadera has had a distinguished career, serving in the UK government under Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2008 and leading Santander UK from March 2015 to October 2020, becoming the first woman to chair a major British bank. Her tenure at Prudential has been marked by strategic growth and a focus on enhancing shareholder value.
The transition in leadership comes at a pivotal time for Prudential as it aims to capitalize on its strong financial performance and continue expanding its footprint in key markets, particularly in Asia. Flint’s appointment signals the company’s commitment to leveraging experienced leadership to navigate future challenges and opportunities within the global financial services sector.
