Former country head Steven Harker to depart Morgan Stanley

Outgoing Morgan Stanley vice chairman Steven Harker.

Morgan Stanley veteran Steven Harker is retiring at the end of the week after a twenty year career at the investment bank.

Mr Harker has emailed the bank’s staff this afternoon announcing his intention to leave on Friday.

He had served as Morgan Stanley’s country head in the past for nearly 18 years before he was appointed vice chairman almost two years ago. He handed over the reigns of the local operations to well known investment banker Richard Wagner.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley and building up its local office, Mr Harker was the global head of equities at BZW.

Earlier this month, Mr Harker was appointed a non-executive director at Westpac effective March 1.

Mr Harker is a doyen of the banking sector in Australia and in 2015 was inducted into the stockbrokers association Hall of Fame.

Hhe has previously held board roles at Investa Property and the Australian Financial Markets Association.