Matthew Ponsonby is Head of Mizuho’s Corporate and Investment Banking in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mizuho International plc.
During his 35-year career in investment banking, Matthew has developed extensive expertise across corporate finance, equity markets, and mergers and acquisitions. He has advised on transactions worth over £350 billion, including some of the most significant deals in the EMEA region.
Before joining Mizuho, Matthew was Head of UK Corporate Banking within the Corporate and Institutional Banking division at BNP Paribas, where he oversaw the group’s UK corporate business and led its growth in the market. Prior to that, he was Vice Chairman of Banking and Co-Global Chief Operating Officer at Barclays. During his tenure, he played a central role in developing Barclays’ European banking franchise and co-led the expansion of its EMEA Mergers & Acquisitions practice.
Earlier in his career, Matthew spent 11 years at Citigroup, holding senior positions including Head of European Utilities,...Matthew Ponsonby is Head of Mizuho’s Corporate and Investment Banking in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mizuho International plc.
During his 35-year career in investment banking, Matthew has developed extensive expertise across corporate finance, equity markets, and mergers and acquisitions. He has advised on transactions worth over £350 billion, including some of the most significant deals in the EMEA region.
Before joining Mizuho, Matthew was Head of UK Corporate Banking within the Corporate and Institutional Banking division at BNP Paribas, where he oversaw the group’s UK corporate business and led its growth in the market. Prior to that, he was Vice Chairman of Banking and Co-Global Chief Operating Officer at Barclays. During his tenure, he played a central role in developing Barclays’ European banking franchise and co-led the expansion of its EMEA Mergers & Acquisitions practice.
Earlier in his career, Matthew spent 11 years at Citigroup, holding senior positions including Head of European Utilities, Head of the Advisory Group in Japan, and Global Head of Infrastructure Investment Banking. He began his career at Morgan Grenfell (later part of Deutsche Bank) and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).
Beyond his professional career, Matthew is actively engaged in philanthropy. He is a member of the Corporate Partnerships Board at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), the UK’s leading children’s research hospital. In 2023, he personally raised over £111,000 for GOSH’s new cancer centre by rowing across the North Atlantic.
Matthew holds a First-Class degree in Materials Science and Metallurgy from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).READ MOREVIEW LESS
Head of CIB, Mizuho EMEA; President & CEO, Mizuho International plc
Oct 2025
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Present
London, UK
Mizuho EMEA, part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, provides leading corporates and institutions across the region with expert corporate and investment banking, asset management services, and a gateway to Japan and Asia.
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 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.
MD, Global Head of Infrastructure & Head of European Utilities
1998
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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 (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.
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.
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.
BNP Paribas appoints Matthew Ponsonby as head of UK corporate banking
Sep 2017
London, UK
Reuters reports on Matthew Ponsonby's position at BNP Paribas, the UK Country Head of BNP Paribas said "Matthew’s extensive knowledge of the corporate landscape – in the UK and beyond – along with his unparalleled investment banking experience will help us achieve this goal.”.
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.
