New leadership appointed: Simone Kaempfer named General Counsel, Ralph Nash assumes Head of Anti-Financial Crime role
In a significant move, Deutsche Bank has announced the appointment of Simone Kämpfer as its new General Counsel, effective September 15, 2025. Kämpfer will also join the bank’s Group Management Committee, the senior management team responsible for overseeing the bank’s strategic and operational direction.
Kämpfer, who currently serves as one of the most senior partners at Freshfields, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She is widely recognized as one of Germany's foremost experts in commercial law and compliance, with a strong background as a former public prosecutor in Germany. Kämpfer leads Freshfields' White-Collar Defence practice in Continental Europe and has extensive experience advising companies on regulatory matters, governance, and investigations.
Following the departure of Friederike Rotsch, who has decided to leave the bank to pursue new opportunities, Kämpfer will succeed Rotsch in her position at Deutsche Bank. Ralph Nash, who has been appointed as the successor to Nita Patel in the Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime division, effective August 1, will report directly to Kämpfer. Nash will be stationed in Frankfurt.
Nita Patel, who has been serving as General Counsel, has decided to leave the bank for personal reasons. Patel's departure and Kämpfer's appointment reflect Deutsche Bank’s intention to further evolve its legal department and support its long-term growth strategy.
Simone Kämpfer is also a board member of the investment firm Droege Group. Contact information for media inquiries can be found below:
- Anke Hallmann
- Dylan Riddle
- Christopher R. Springer
- Investor Relations
[1] Deutsche Bank press release: [Link to press release] [2] Freshfields press release: [Link to press release] [3] Financial Times article: [Link to article] [4] Bloomberg article: [Link to article] [5] Law360 article: [Link to article]
Simone Kämpfer, in her new role as General Counsel at Deutsche Bank, will be responsible for overseeing risk management and compliance, leveraging her expertise in commercial law and extensive experience in business governance and investigations. Ralph Nash, the newly appointed Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime division head, will report directly to Kämpfer, with a focus on managing finance-related risks and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
