Emma Sheller exits Standard Chartered amidst marketing team rejig

Emma Sheller, Standard Chartered's global head of corporate affairs, brand and marketing (CABM), consumer, private and business banking as well as global head of brand strategy, is leaving the bank after close to six years to relocate to the UK. Standard Chartered's spokesperson told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that global brand is now led by global head of corporate affairs Sarah Hagan (pictured centre), while the consumer, private and business banking portfolio is led by Suresh Balaji (pictured right). Balaji recently joined as global head, CABM, consumer, private and business banking.

"Hagan and Balaji will continue to lead their teams in elevating the Standard Chartered brand and demonstrating our purpose as an organisation that is here for good," the spokesperson added.

Sheller (pictured left) joined the team in 2016 and has worked on several brand campaigns including a film to demonstrate the impact of carbon, which was created via a unique production technique involving jets of food colourant in a water tank. She was also involved in a 2020 brand campaign that reinforced the importance of global trade and the bank's role in driving it.

At the same time, she also oversaw the reappointment of dentsu International as the bank's global media partner last year, covering media planning, buying and strategy. She previously said that dentsu came to the table with a deep knowledge of the business, its commitments and how to better drive growth from the media with an "impressive service model and a team" aligned to that value set. Currently, the bank is in the midst of appointing a global creative agency covering key markets including Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Africa, among others. TBWA\, BLKJ Havas and Publicis are vying for the account.

Meanwhile, Hagan joined Standard Chartered in February this year, according to her LinkedIn, and was previously with Teneo as MD in London. She also helmed senior communications roles at Capital & Counties Properties, Burson-Marsteller, GSK and Network Rail.

Meanwhile, Balaji was with HSBC for 17 years and was most recently APAC CMO. He also took on different roles including MD, global head of marketing, HSBC Life; global head of marketing strategy; and global head of media and marketing innovation. He also worked at United Breweries, Y&R, and GSK.

The bank also hired Sunshine Farzan as its global head, CABM, corporate, commercial and institutional banking, as well as Europe and the Americas. Farzan has a diverse background across marketing, brand development and strategic communications, as well as experience spanning financial services, insurance/insurtech, software as a service and professional services. According to Standard Chartered, she has driven business growth for global brands such as MetLife, American Express and Kraft Foods ,as well as fast growth SMEs and private equity owned firms in Asia Pacific. Farzan most recently led the global marketing and communications function at business expansion specialist company Tricor Group. 

Related articles:
StanChart bolsters marketing team with senior hires Sunshine Farzan and Suresh Balaji
The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon returns with new revamped logo
Standard Chartered introduces measures to reactivate mainland bank accounts
Standard Chartered shortlists 3 agencies for global creative pitch
Standard Chartered enters metaverse with Animoca Brands in HK
Standard Chartered SG's new digital-only bank name and logo unveiled
Standard Chartered calls global creative pitch
Standard Chartered names MD for digital channels and data analytics
#MarketingEventsAwards 2021 highlight: Standard Chartered creates 'digital village' for its awards
Standard Chartered's unique ad campaign on sustainability