Divyesh Vithlani, Standard Chartered’s Chief Transformation Officer, has moved to First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) as its Group Chief Technology and Transformation Officer. His extensive background includes significant roles at Credit Suisse and Accenture. FAB has recently ramped up hiring, reinforcing its status in the banking sector. Standard Chartered is also expanding its operations in the UAE.
The Chief Transformation Officer of Standard Chartered, Mr. Divyesh Vithlani, has departed from Singapore to take up a new position at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). This transition signifies a trend not only among bankers but also within banking technology professionals seeking opportunities in the UAE. Mr. Vithlani joins FAB as the Group Chief Technology and Transformation Officer after two impactful years at Standard Chartered, having previously held a senior managing director role at Accenture.
Mr. Vithlani, a distinguished figure in his field, began his career at Credit Suisse in Singapore back in 1998, eventually climbing to the position of Group Chief Technology Operating Officer. His career progression took him briefly to Switzerland before he returned to Singapore, where he has worked for the past decade. His move to FAB aligns with the bank’s recent growth strategy, bolstered by hiring high-profile executives from firms like Citi.
FAB has been actively expanding its workforce, with recent reports highlighting the onboarding of Omar Hafeez, Citi’s former CEO for North Africa, Levant, and Central Asia, among other senior talent. This influx of skilled professionals underlines FAB’s increasing stature in the banking sector, as evidenced by its fifth-place ranking in the 2024 Ideal Employer Rankings, trailing only Goldman Sachs in the banking category. In response, Standard Chartered is also enhancing its presence in the UAE by enlarging its frontline private banking team by 20%.
The departure of Divyesh Vithlani to FAB epitomizes the ongoing movement of financial professionals to the UAE, particularly in technology roles. As financial institutions like FAB attract top talent and expand their operations, banks like Standard Chartered are also committed to growth in the UAE, enhancing their respective strategies. Such developments within the financial sector demonstrate the dynamic nature of career transitions among banking professionals.
Original Source: www.efinancialcareers.com
