Martinez Gavica has been with Santander for over two decades, the statement added, noting that the executive will stay in his current post through April of next year.

Santander last month offered to take full control of its Mexican business through a 2.6 billion euro (2.23 billion pounds) all-share deal as it chases potentially higher returns in Latin America.

The deal, which was broadly welcomed by analysts, would unwind Santander's listing of 25 percent of the bank on the Mexican stock exchange in 2012.

(Reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Sandra Maler)