EU financial watchdog confirms esma chair Verena Ross will step down at end of mandate

The European Securities and Markets Authority confirmed that the current esma chair will not seek a second mandate, marking a planned leadership transition at the EU financial watchdog.

Verena Ross decides not to renew her ESMA mandate

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU‘s financial markets regulator and supervisor, announced on 10/12/2025 that its Chair, Verena Ross, has decided not to renew her term for a second mandate.

However, Ross will remain fully committed to ESMA and will continue serving as the authority’s Chair until the end of her current contract on 31 October 2026. This ensures continuity in the oversight of European securities and markets during the transition period.

Succession planning and selection process

Following Ross’s decision, ESMA will now launch the process for selecting a new Chair. The authority’s governing bodies are expected to define the timetable and criteria for the esma chair selection process, in line with the applicable EU framework.

Moreover, the announcement gives market participants, national supervisors and EU institutions early clarity on the forthcoming leadership change at ESMA. The authority emphasized that Ross will continue to lead its work until her contract ends, supporting a smooth handover to her successor.

Contact and further information

For additional details on the leadership transition and official communications, ESMA has directed media and stakeholders to its dedicated press contact. That said, any enquiries regarding this esma chair transition should be addressed to press@esma.europa.eu, which remains the main channel for public information requests.

In summary, ESMA’s confirmation that the current esma chair, Verena Ross, will step down at the end of her term in October 2026 formally opens the succession process while guaranteeing continuity in the authority’s supervision of EU financial markets.