He spent his career working for Standard Bank in South Africa both as its chief executive officer for fourteen years and as its deputy chairman since late 2016.
[1] He matriculated from St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown in 1973 and attended Stellenbosch University where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce.
[1][2] He later attended Oxford University after receiving a Rhodes Scholarship in 1978 where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 1980.
Following a nine-month delay, in June 2000, South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced his decision in parliament concerning the merger stating that it would not be allowed to proceed.
[8][9] Maree would retire as the CEO of Standard Bank Group in March 2013 and was replaced by Sim Tshabalala and Ben Kruger.