Morgan Stanley has appointed 184 individuals as managing directors. Here’s a comprehensive overview of this accomplished group of top executives.

Morgan Stanley Announces 184 New Managing Directors

This week, Morgan Stanley revealed the promotion of 184 professionals to the role of managing director, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year's 173 appointments.

Below, you'll find key insights and statistics about this latest group of senior leaders at the firm.

Celebrations at Morgan Stanley Headquarters

Although New Year's festivities have ended, the excitement continues at Morgan Stanley as the firm celebrates its newest class of managing directors. The announcement, made on Wednesday, highlights a notable expansion in the bank's leadership ranks.

Significance of the Managing Director Title

At Morgan Stanley, the managing director position represents the highest level of achievement within the company. This annual round of promotions coincides with similar moves across Wall Street, such as Goldman Sachs' recent elevation of over 600 managing directors as part of its biennial process.

Trends in Promotion Numbers

The number of new managing directors at Morgan Stanley varies each year. In 2024, 155 individuals were promoted, while both 2023 and this year saw 184 appointments. In 2022, the firm named 199 new managing directors.

Roles and Responsibilities

Of the newly promoted executives, 70% are engaged in client-facing, revenue-generating roles, while the remaining 30% support the bank through middle-office, back-office, or corporate functions.

Strong Performance in Dealmaking

The latest promotions follow a successful year for Morgan Stanley's dealmaking division. According to LSEG, the bank ranked third globally in M&A financial advisory, behind only Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan. In 2025, Morgan Stanley advised on over $1 trillion in deals across more than 400 transactions—a significant increase from the previous year's $707 billion and 368 deals.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Industry experts anticipate a surge in mergers and capital market activity in 2026. This outlook may explain why nearly half (48%) of the new managing directors hail from the Institutional Securities Group, which specializes in advising corporate clients on IPOs, acquisitions, and sales.

Communication and Recognition

The newly promoted managing directors were notified on Wednesday, and Morgan Stanley plans to release the full list of names soon. The firm has also been among the first on Wall Street to inform employees about their year-end bonuses, linking compensation to their contributions over the past year.

Breakdown of the 2026 Managing Director Class

• Functional Distribution: 70% in revenue-generating roles; 30% in infrastructure, including middle- and back-office or corporate positions.
  • Institutional Securities Group: 48%
  • Investment Management: 12%
  • Wealth Management: 9%
• Geographical Representation: Americas 67%, EMEA 18%, Asia 14%
  • New managing directors span 14 countries
• Average Tenure: Approximately 11 years at Morgan Stanley
• Advanced Degrees: 35% hold postgraduate qualifications
• Career Path: 49% joined the firm as non-officers
• Gender Diversity: 27% women, 73% men
• Ethnic Diversity (U.S.-based promotions): 31% from diverse backgrounds, 69% White
  • 5% Black
  • 6% Hispanic
  • 17% Asian
  • 3% Other