By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In order to achieve its sustainability objectives, Standard Chartered has appointed Ms Lina Osman as Regional Head of Sustainable Finance for Africa and the Middle East.
Ms Osman has over 14 years of banking experience in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and her appointment is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to provide sustainable financing solutions across its regional footprint.
She will work closely with the lender’s senior management and broader sustainable finance team, as well as the bank’s coverage, industry and product partners to originate and structure sustainable finance transactions for clients across Africa and the Middle East.
“There is an urgent need to unlock the potential of Africa and the Middle East to accelerate to net-zero and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Lina’s deep knowledge of the region, corporate finance experience, and personal commitment to sustainability will allow us to provide our clients with more advice and financing to enable their transition to low carbon and sustainable business models,” Daniel Hanna, Global Head of Sustainable Finance at Standard Chartered, said.
Also commenting on the appointment, the Regional Head of Client Coverage, Africa & Middle East, CCIB Standard Chartered, Sarmad Lone, said, “As one of the bank’s largest growth markets and with a background of increased diversification efforts across the public and private sector, Africa and Middle East region represents a pivotal opportunity for greater proliferation of sustainable finance.
“Lina’s appointment will be crucial to Standard Chartered’s contribution to the sustainability objectives of both regional governments and private sector corporates as she drives the origination of sustainable projects and products. We are thrilled to welcome Lina to the AME Regional Management Team and wish her great success in her new position.”
The appointment of Ms Osman is seen as the right step in the right direction as she has been a successful Corporate Finance banker and delivered a number of landmark advisory and financing transactions in several areas, such as the renewable energy space.
She has also successfully developed a number of banking relationships with sovereign wealth funds and private equity firms.
Aduragbemi Omiyale