Ex-Roma girl appointed as Standard Chartered Bank's first Zambian CEO

STANDARD Chartered Bank Zambia Plc has appointed Mizinga Melu as managing director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the bank.
Mrs Melu is the first Zambian to head the bank since its establishment in Zambia in 1906 and takes over from Tom Aaker who has been appointed CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Qatar.
Announcing the appointment of Mrs Melu in a statement, bank chairman, George Sokota said she had worked with the bank for over 10 years and served in many markets including Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and the United Kindgom.
“I am very proud that Mizinga is the first Zambian, as well as the first woman, ever appointed as managing director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia,’’ he said.
Mr Sokota also expressed his gratitude to Mr Aaker for his leadership during the past three years he worked with the Zambian branch.
He added that Standard Chartered Bank had consistently been the leading bank in Zambia during Mr Aaker’s tenure as MD and was proud of the achievement.
“He and his team delivered outstanding growth during this period which resulted in superior financial performance,’’ he said.
And Mr Aaker said it was a privilege to work in Zambia and be a member of such an outstanding team.
“I am proud of our achievements during the past few years, particularly those which have contributed back to the community where we live and work, such as our nets for life and youth life skills initiatives,’’ he said.
Mr Aaker said the appointment of Mrs Melu and her team would take the bank to the next level that would enable the bank to continue as the best in Zambia for many years to come.
Commenting on her appointment, Mrs Melu said was looking forward to working with the directors and the team in Zambia to build on the success and take the business to another level.
Prior to her appointment, Mrs Melu held the role of global head of development organisations for Standard Chartered Bank Group in London.
Her responsibilities included management of the group’s development organisations portfolio which includes multilateral and bilateral institutions and Non Governmental Organisations as well as the group’s microfinance initiatives.
Mrs Melu holds an MBA from Henley Management College in the United Kingdom
[Zambia Daily Mail]