Rola Abu Manneh has been selected as one of the Top 34 GCC banking CEOs 2024.
Abu Manneh is the first Emirati woman to lead an international bank in the UAE and the wider region and has successfully transformed the UAE business into one of Standard Chartered’s top three markets globally. Under her leadership, the Bank has implemented strategies that enhance operational efficiency, optimise client service and promote innovation across its regional operations.
In early 2023, Abu Manneh was appointed to the Boards of both Standard Chartered (Pakistan) Limited and Standard Chartered Uganda. She is also a director on the boards of MyZoi and Appro, two innovative digital ventures developed under SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation, fintech investment, and ventures arm. Her leadership within the bank has been instrumental in advancing its position in the regional market.
Abu Manneh’s career spans over 25 years in the UAE’s banking sector. Before joining Standard Chartered in 2018, she held several key roles at First Abu Dhabi Bank, including Head of Corporate and Investment Banking. Since then, she has played a central role in positioning Standard Chartered as a critical partner for clients, offering strategic advice and financial solutions tailored to their needs.
Beyond her leadership in banking, Abu Manneh has actively championed diversity, inclusion and women’s empowerment. She has supported initiatives aimed at promoting female entrepreneurship and provides mentorship programs for university students in collaboration with key institutions. She serves as a member of the Global Council for Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and is a delegate in G20Empower.
Abu Manneh also serves on the Boards of the Dubai International Chamber and the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, highlighting her commitment to community development and philanthropy. Additionally, she is a member of the NYUAD Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Council, further reinforcing her influence in fostering education and leadership.
“I am passionate about championing women empowerment and female entrepreneurship through multiple active initiatives, including university mentorship programmes in collaboration with leading institutions”
Rola Abu Manneh
Standard Chartered has mobilised over $105 billion of sustainable finance since 2021, progressing well towards the Bank’s $300 billion target by 2030. In the region, the bank launched the UAE’s first conventional sustainable account in November 2021 to provide clients with a direct means to support projects aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through deposited cash. In November 2022, Standard Chartered launched the Islamic sustainable account, a Shariah-compliant version of this product.
In H1 2024, Standard Chartered Group’s operating income was up 11%, recording $10 billion, while underlying profit before tax increased 21% to $4.0 billion. After these results, the bank unveiled a record $1.5 billion buyback, its biggest ever, and lifted its income outlook for 2024.
