Standard Chartered Private Bank has appointed Ali Hammad as market head, Private Banking, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the bank announced on March 14. Hammad is based in London and reports to Stephen Atkinson, regional head, Private Banking Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Hammad brings with him some 30 years of private banking experience. He joins from Coutts & Co. where he was most recently Head of Asia, Middle East and Africa. Ali also worked at Credit Suisse and UBS in a number of senior roles based in Beirut, Dubai and London, focused on serving Middle Eastern clients.

Standard Chartered Private Bank also complemented the MENA team with 14 new hires, comprising a mix of relationship managers and client service managers, who have joined over the course of the first quarter of 2019.

Didier von Daeniken, global head, Private Banking and Wealth Management, said, “As we continue investing in our private banking business, these appointments demonstrate our commitment both to the region and the ultra-high net worth business. We are excited to add to our bench strength of talented and experienced bankers, and are confident that Ali and the team will drive the acceleration of our business growth in the MENA region.”