Standard Chartered Bank (www.standardchartered.com) has appointed Diana Layfield as Regional Chief Executive Officer, Africa, with effect from 22 June 2011. The bank has operated in Africa for over 147 years and has over 160 branches in 14 African countries and over 6,000 staff. Diana succeeds Mike Hart, who becomes Vice Chairman for operations in Africa.
V. Shankar, CEO, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Americas, said in a press release: “This is a hugely exciting time for our fast growing business in Africa. Diana and Mike will ensure we are well placed to take advantage of the many opportunities we see, including from deepening economic and trade relationships with Asia.”
Diana is currently Group Head of Strategy and Corporate Development – acquisitions, alliances, mergers and disposals – since 2009 across the bank’s global operations, and has previously held senior management roles since she joined the bank in 2004 as Chief Operating Officer for Wholesale Banking and as Group Head, Global Corporates.
Before that she was CEO of Finexia Ltd, a technology company providing outsourced services and software for the commercial finance industry (2000-2004), worked for McKinsey & Co (1995-2000), and piloted relief planes for the International Committee of the Red Cross / UN in Africa (1998-99). She was educated at the University of Oxford and Harvard University
Mike has led Standard Chartered’s franchise in Africa since 2006, delivering record results while growing our business, and has also been an active proponent of the Bank’s community programmes across Africa. He has been with the bank for 23 years and is stepping down from executive responsibilities.