Standard Chartered Bank has appointed Kubra Aghayar as the head of Small Medium Enterprises (SME) unit in its Bahrain office.

Aghayar, a Bahraini, was previously heading the Medium Enterprises Unit at the bank. She now will be responsible for implementing the bank's SME strategy in the kingdom, helping grow the business and strengthening client relationships.

"I am pleased and proud to see Aghayar, a Standard Chartered female executive, promoted to this dynamic new role,"said Standard Chartered Bahrain chief executive Hassan Jarrar.

"As a senior Bahraini staff, she is well in place as a local expert within an international organisation. Being the first bank in the kingdom with an active presence for more than 90 years, we are committed to developing Bahrainis who make up 70 per cent of the bank's labour force. I wish Aghayar success in her new assignment," he stated.

Aghayar is a qualified Associate of the Institute of Financial Services (AIFS), and enjoys 21 years of banking experience.

Prior to joining Standard Chartered Bank, she held relationship management posts at HSBC and Ahli United Bank in Bahrain. She started her banking career with Gulf International Bank in the credit department.

Aghayar holds a BSc (hons) in Financial Services from the University of Manchester, UK.

Consumer banking head Sandeep Bose said: "Aghayar's strong experience in the banking sector especially in the SME and commercial banking sectors will help ensure we continue to strengthen our franchise in Bahrain."

"SMEs are the backbone of economies worldwide and we are committed to this vital and growing segment, especially since the Middle East is one of Standard Chartered's strategic markets globally. I am confident that Aghayar's knowledge and skills will help us achieve growth and success in Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service