NatWest Group Names Isabelle Girolami as New C&I CEO

Pending regulatory consent, Isabelle Girolami, the present Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB), is set to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Commercial & Institutional (C&I) and join the Group Executive Committee starting 1 January 2027.

Her appointment forms part of a broader series of C-suite leadership updates declared by the bank.

Under these changes, current NatWest Markets CEO Jonathan Peberdy transitions to Head of CIB Ring-Fenced Bank (RFB). Walid Assaf will take over as the incoming CEO of Markets, succeeding Jonathan.

Joining NatWest after overseeing Global Markets Trading at Crédit Agricole CIB, Walid brings three decades of expertise directing trading, franchise growth and risk management across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Meanwhile, Robert Begbie, who serves as the existing CEO of Commercial & Institutional, is transitioning to Executive Chair, Scotland and Senior Advisor, C&I. In this capacity, he will steer the Royal Bank of Scotland’s initiatives in Scotland as the institution approaches its 300-year milestone in 2027.

Strategic Momentum Across Commercial Operations

These executive shifts align with NatWest's strategy to enter a fresh era of expansion. The moves follow a sustained period of robust performance by the group, which remains a premier UK business bank.

Serving over 1.5 million commercial clients, NatWest stands as a major financial partner for UK startups.

Advancing this focus on expansion, the group established a targeted venture banking unit earlier this year, created specifically to empower fast-growing UK enterprises and the investor community backing them.

Reflecting on the bank's strategic direction, Group CEO Paul Thwaite says the Commercial & Institutional segment is "delivering excellent outcomes for customers, making significant progress against its strategic ambitions and is well positioned for future growth.”

He notes that the incoming roles for Isabelle, Jonathan and Walid will reinforce the group's current momentum as it enters its upcoming growth chapter for clients, staff and shareholders.

Reflecting on his tenure within C&I and his shift to the new position, Robert says: “By helping businesses access the capital... we can turn ambition into sustainable success and play an important role in supporting the long-term potential of the UK.”

Isabelle Girolami's Financial Sector Experience

Isabelle arrived at NatWest Group in 2025 as Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking.

In this position, she has been instrumental in defining and executing strategic direction for the division, serving financial institutions, funds and sponsors.

Before joining NatWest, her career included time as CEO of LCH Ltd, alongside senior global executive assignments at Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole CIB.

Looking ahead to her appointment and NatWest’s mission to foster UK enterprise, Isabelle says: “It will be a privilege to lead our Commercial & Institutional franchise, supporting customers and businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporates and multinationals.

“I’m looking forward to building on the momentum and realising the significant opportunities ahead.”

Barclays's key partners:

Amazon Web Services (AWS): NatWest partnered with AWS to modernise its digital infrastructure, cloud platform and data capabilities across its core banking systems.
CEO: Matt Garman | Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, US

Accenture: Accenture collaborates with NatWest on a multi-year transformation to enhance customer analytics, risk management and operational digital efficiency.
CEO: Julie Sweet | Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Google Cloud: NatWest partnered with Google Cloud to empower UK startups with advanced AI tools, digital training and dedicated pitching growth initiatives.
CEO: Thomas Kurian | Headquarters: Mountain View, California, US