Willett joined Standard Chartered in 2012 as its head of M&A for Europe, having previously held a number of senior roles including chairman of corporate finance Europe, Middle East and Africa, and global head of M&A, at RBS.
He will report to James Courtenay, global head of advisory and Infrastructure finance at Standard Chartered.
Former JP Morgan banker David Harvey-Evers will take over from Willett in the role of head of M&A, Europe.
Courtenay said the company looked forward to Suckling’s “further contributions to Standard Chartered when he returns from his sabbatical”.