Profiles Contact

Matthew Ponsonby

Head of Global Banking | UK

BNP Paribas

London, UK

Matthew Ponsonby

Jennifer Prosek

Prosek Partners

Matthew Ponsonby’s Biography

Matthew Ponsonby is Head of Global Banking at BNP Paribas in the UK. He has extensive experience in the corporate field and in-depth expertise in investment banking, equity markets and mergers and acquisitions. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Matthew has been influential in transactions worth over £350 billion, including some of the largest deals in the EMEA region.

As Head of UK Corporate Banking in the Corporate and Institutional Banking unit at BNP Paribas, Matthew is responsible for overseeing the corporate business of the group and leading its expansion in the UK. The United Kingdom is identified as one of the main European markets for BNP Paribas, and the Bank has been unwavering in its commitment to its UK client base.

Before his appointment at BNP Paribas, Matthew was Vice Chairman of Banking and Co-Global Chief Operating Officer at Barclays, where he was instrumental in developing their banking franchise across Europe, having built the EMEA Mergers & Acquisitions franchise as Co-Head of European M&A.

Prior to Barclays, Matthew held senior positions at... Matthew Ponsonby is Head of Global Banking at BNP Paribas in the UK. He has extensive experience in the corporate field and in-depth expertise in investment banking, equity markets and mergers and acquisitions. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Matthew has been influential in transactions worth over £350 billion, including some of the largest deals in the EMEA region.

As Head of UK Corporate Banking in the Corporate and Institutional Banking unit at BNP Paribas, Matthew is responsible for overseeing the corporate business of the group and leading its expansion in the UK. The United Kingdom is identified as one of the main European markets for BNP Paribas, and the Bank has been unwavering in its commitment to its UK client base.

Before his appointment at BNP Paribas, Matthew was Vice Chairman of Banking and Co-Global Chief Operating Officer at Barclays, where he was instrumental in developing their banking franchise across Europe, having built the EMEA Mergers & Acquisitions franchise as Co-Head of European M&A.

Prior to Barclays, Matthew held senior positions at Citigroup during his 11-year tenure, including Head of European Utilities, Head of the Advisory Group in Japan, and Global Head of Infrastructure Investment Banking. Earlier in his career Matthew worked at Morgan Grenfell, which became part of Deutsche Bank, and Andersen Consulting, now Accenture.

Philanthropically, Matthew is a member of the Corporate Partnerships Board at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), the UK’s leading children’s research hospital. The board plays a key role within the charity by bringing together senior leaders from across the business community. In 2023 Matthew raised over £111,000 for GOSH’s new cancer centre by rowing across the North Atlantic.

He graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) with a First-Class degree in Materials Science and Metallurgy. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Matthew Ponsonby’s Newsfeed

The Times

After the flash crash, there’s a silver lining: Interest rates cut

Read more

Reuters

BNP Paribas aims at 'usual suspect' status in hard-to-crack UK market

Read more

View News Archive

Matthew Ponsonby’s Background

BNP Paribas

Head of Global Banking | UK

Oct 2017 - Present

London, UK

BNP Paribas, founded in France in 1848, is an investment bank and international financial services provider for corporate and institutional clients. Matthew oversees the corporate business of the group and steers its expansion in the United Kingdom. He is responsible for the strategy and management of the Investment Bank as well as some of the larger client relationships in EMEA.

Barclays PLC

Vice Chairman & Co-Global COO of Banking

Sep 2009 - 2017

London, UK

Barclays is a British multinational bank that is headquartered in London. Matthew joined Barclays as their Co-Head of M&A EMEA and to build that function in the region, he was then made MD, COO of Investment Banking & Head of M&A for the EMEA region. Matthew most recently served as Vice Chairman and Co-Global COO of Banking.

Citigroup

MD, Global Head of Infrastructure & Head of European Utilities

1998 - Aug 2009

London, UK

Citigroup is a multinational investment bank and financial services company that is headquartered in New York and is listed as one of the largest banks in the US. Matthew spent 11 years at the group and his roles there included Managing Director, Global Head of Infrastructure, Head of European Utilities, and Head of UK Coverage.

Nikko Citigroup

MD, Head of Advisory Group & Co-Head of M&A

2001 - 2005

Tokyo, JP

During his 11-year tenure at Citigroup, Matthew spent 5 years in Japan as Managing Director, Head of Advisory Group Japan, and before that as Managing Director, Co-Head of M&A.

Deutsche Morgan Grenfell

Director, Investment Banking

1990 - 1998

London, UK

Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group, now known as Deutsche Bank AG is a German investment bank and financial services company that operates in over 50 countries around the world with a large presence in Europe, the Americas and Asia. It was known as Deutsche Morgan Grenfell before Deutsche Bank did away with the name.

Andersen Consulting (Accenture)

Senior Consultant, Financial Services Division

1987 - 1990

London, UK

Anderson Consulting, now known as Accenture, was a separate legal entity for Arthur Anderson, formerly positioned as one of the Big Five, and operated independently from the accounting firm.

View all Hide

Matthew Ponsonby’s Gallery

Philanthropy

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Fundraiser

Jun 2023 - Present

London, UK

In the summer of 2023 Matthew Ponsonby rowed the North Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland, a distance of some 1,641 nautical miles. Over £111,000 was raised and donated to GOSH's new Children's Cancer Centre. To make a donation, please click on the link above to access Matthew's JustGiving page.

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Member of the Corporate Partnerships Board

London, UK

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is the UK’s leading children’s research hospital and one of the top five centres of excellence for paediatrics in the world. It has experts across a range of over 50 paediatric specialties and treat children with rare, complex and life-threatening conditions. The charity helps fund research, medical equipment, support projects and accommodation.

Media

LSE Focal Point

Podcast

Sep 2021

London, UK

The Focal Point Podcast is the official podcast of the London School of Economics' Students Union. This episode features an interview with Matthew Ponsonby who provides exclusive insights into his career.

Thought Leadership

Britain’s economy is more robust than its naysayers believe

Opinion piece

Aug 2024

Matthew Ponsonby describes how, despite challenges like the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the UK's economy has consistently shown resilience, outperforming bleak forecasts with strong growth, sustained investment, and robust financial markets.

Features

Financial Times

BNP Paribas seizes Brexit opportunity to boost UK operation

Jan 2018

London, UK

This article discusses how BNP Paribas has seized the benefits of Brexit to boost its UK operation.

Global Capital

BNP Paribas places UK at heart of European ambitions

Jan 2018

London, UK

Matthew is mentioned in an article written for Global Capital regarding his appointment as Head of Global Banking, UK of BNP Paribas.

View all Hide

Awards & Recognition

Ocean Rowing Society International

Jul 2023

In July 2023 Matthew completed a 36-day row across the North Atlantic, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital. His expedition has been recognised by the Ocean Rowing Society International (ORSI) as only the 38th such voyage ever to be completed. The OSRI is the official adjudicator of ocean rowing and all human-power open-water exploration. Click on the link for further information.

Matthew Ponsonby’s Education

University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

Materials Science and Metallurgy | First Class

1985 - 1987