In a letter to colleagues, he said that he had been diagnosed the non-Hodgkin lymphoma but reassured that it had been “detected early” and that scans and biopsies confirmed that it was “very localised”.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is the network of vessels and glands throughout the body. It is a crucial part of the immune system.
He continued that his doctors had advised that his prognosis was “excellent” and his condition is curable with their regimen. Treatment is likely to last 12 to 16 weeks.
“During this period, the company will run normally, and I will continue to be actively engaged in managing it. However, I will have to work from home for some periods and not be able to travel. Fortunately, I have always exercised regularly and am strong and fit as I commence this treatment,” Venkatakrishnan added.
He said that the board had been informed and he was “enormously grateful” for their support.
Venkatakrishnan continued that Barclays had a “highly capable and seasoned” executive committee and talented senior management team, and was confident that with help from the team at Barclays would continue “to serve our customers and clients well, and produce strong operating performance for our shareholders”.
“I am deeply appreciative, and very proud, of your support and extraordinary efforts in these volatile times,” he concluded.
Venkatakrishnan was appointed to the role last year, following former Barclays’ CEO Jes Staley’s departure after initial feedback from the regulators in its investigation into his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Prior to his appointment, Venkatakrishnan was head of global markets and co-president of Barclays from October 2020 and before that he was group chief risk officer for around four years.
Before Barclays, he worked at JP Morgan Chase from 1994 and held senior roles in asset management. This included chief investment officer in global fixed income, as well as in investment banking and risk.
Venkatakrishnan is also the executive sponsor for Embrace, which is the global multi-cultural network at Barclays.
