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Employee Stories

Lana Darwish

An inspiring journey as a female lead

Lana

With almost 15 years of experience in international banking and leadership, Lana is currently the Regional Head of Client Servicing and Transacting at Standard Chartered

Covering Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Europe in addition to her double hatting responsibility as Chief Operating Officer for Consumer, Private and Business Banking in the UAE. She is an industry trailblazer known for exceeding operational goals and driving innovative initiatives. Lana’s focus on client-centric solutions and innovation has made her an invaluable asset at the Bank. Her ability to build highly accomplished teams and position them for success is a testament to her leadership skills. Today, she tells us about her career journey and shares advice for women hoping to pursue a career at Standard Chartered.

Tell us about your career journey so far.

My career path has been quite interesting and diverse. Initially, I followed my father’s advice and pursued a career in healthcare as a pharmacist. However, I always had an entrepreneurial drive that I couldn’t ignore. So, I decided to expand my horizons and pursue my master’s degree in International Business.

After completing my studies, I landed my first job at a local bank, where I gained valuable experience and honed my skills. It was during this time that Standard Chartered noticed my potential and offered me a position within their Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB) team.

What attracted you to joining Standard Chartered’s Operations team?

Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to take on various leadership roles across different banking segments. However, the challenges and learning opportunities in the operations world are what attracted me to the industry. That’s why I made the decision to join the Operations team at Standard Chartered Bank. It’s been an incredible journey so far and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

What are the responsibilities of your role?

I am responsible for co-owning and delivering an exceptional client experience for Consumer, Private, and Business Banking (CPBB) clients at Standard Chartered. I focus on ensuring our clients have the best possible experience from start to finish, whether they are conducting transactions or seeking assistance with various banking services.

Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of leading teams and departments through significant periods of change and restructuring. During these transformative times, I consistently exceeded ambitious operational goals and successfully streamlined internal processes.

What is your proudest achievement since joining Standard Chartered?

I recognise that my achievements are dependent on my team and I take pride in my ability to assemble talented teams and set them up for success. With this being said, my proudest achievements are:

How would you describe the culture of your team?

Our team fosters a positive and supportive culture. We have a strong sense of collaboration and regularly share our knowledge. Openness and transparency are valued in my team, which creates an environment where we genuinely believe in each other’s growth and development. We embrace challenges with unwavering determination and are always willing to go the extra mile.

What, professionally, are you most looking forward to this year?

This year, I am focused on driving various initiatives that will enhance our client experience by improving operational efficiency. I am also dedicated to actively engaging with my team to nurture and develop stronger leaders within our organisation.