ING is changing the structure of top managers involved in technology. Ron van Kemenade has been appointed Chief Technology Officer; a function that did not previously exist. At the same time, Roel Louwhoff, the current Chief Operations Officer (COO), will leave the bank later this year.

Van Kemenade has been with ING since 2003 and currently serves as Chief Information Officer. In 2016 he was named ‘CIO of the Year’. In his new role, Van Kemenade is responsible for, among other things, data management and information security. The Chief Operations Officer remains responsible for themes such as KYC, the Global Transformation Office and ING Business Shared Services.

According to CEO Steven van Rijswijk, the changes at the board level mark the next step in ING’s journey to become a data-driven digital leader in banking. “I am confident that Ron’s appointment as Chief Technology Officer will be a catalyst in our further development.”

The Chief Innovation Officer position has been removed, and Benoît Legrand also left ING at that time. ING is positioning itself as a fintech bank and will move all its innovation activities to the newly established ING Neo arm.

Louwoff’s departure

Van Rijswijk further stated that Roel Louwhoff, as ING’s first COO, played a central role in the implementation of the bank’s strategy. “We have benefited greatly from his experience and drive and will continue to do so in the coming months. But now I would like to thank him in advance for his valuable contribution and wish him the best for the next steps.”

Louwhoff said the separation of operational and technology roles at board level was a natural step in ING’s development as a digital leader, and he fully supported it. “For me, after seven years in the role, it is the right time to look for a new challenge. I have enjoyed the journey over the past few years and would like to thank my 57,000 colleagues for all the wonderful memories.”

Ron van Kemenade’s appointment has been approved by the European Central Bank. Louwhoff will step down from the Board of Directors effective August 1 and will leave ING on November 1, 2021.