Standard Chartered has appointed Rehan Shaikh as CEO for Standard Chartered Saadiq, the Bank’s global Islamic banking business.

Shaikh will drive the growth of Standard Chartered’s Islamic Banking business across its core markets, supporting the Bank’s new strategy in creating a focused and more profitable bank.

With over 30 years of banking and management experience, Shaikh joins Standard Chartered from Dubai Islamic Bank, where he was Senior Vice President and Business Head, Private Sector & Transaction Banking.

In his earlier career, he was with Standard Chartered Bank, Pakistan from 1998 to 2007, and held a number of roles including Head, Corporate Banking and Head, Client Relationships.

Commenting on his appointment, Shaikh said: “I am excited to return to Standard Chartered where I have had many good memories. Standard Chartered is well-positioned to participate in the continued growth of the industry as demographics across our footprint indicate the greater demand for sharia-compliant products and services. I look forward to working with the teams in supporting the financing and investment needs of our clients globally.

Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank, added: “Islamic finance is an integral part of the business at Standard Chartered and we continue to see growing demand from clients in many of our markets. Rehan’s in depth knowledge of our footprint markets and corporate banking experience will be invaluable in building our Islamic Banking proposition as the Bank positions for future growth.”