P.D. Singh to succeed Zarin Daruwala as Standard Chartered India's new CEO

Standard Chartered Bank has appointed P.D. Singh as its new CEO (chief executive officer) for India, taking charge from April 1, 2025. Singh will succeed Zarin Daruwala, who will wrap up nearly nine years of leadership at the bank, retiring on March 31, 2025, after steering the bank since 2016, according to the bank’s announcement in its release.

Singh arrives with nearly three decades of rich experience in banking and finance, having held leadership roles across European and American banks. Before joining Standard Chartered, he served as the CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank in India, where he played a key role in shaping the bank’s corporate banking franchise as one of its founding members.

“Under his leadership, the bank won multiple industry awards and recognition for outstanding performance,” the bank said in a statement.

Before his stint at JP Morgan, Singh spent a decade at HSBC, where he held key leadership roles across corporate and commercial banking. With a double MBA with an engineering degree, he has made a significant impact on the financial sector, blending technical expertise with strategic insight, the bank adds.

Speaking on his new appointment as CEO, Singh said, “It’s a privilege for me to join Standard Chartered, which has a rich legacy spanning more than 165 years. I have been a keen observer of the Bank’s ambitions and growth trajectory in India and am looking forward to playing a role in reaffirming our commitment by further driving sustained growth and delivering value to our stakeholders.”

On the appointment of Singh, Sunil Kaushal, Co-Head, Corporate & Investment Banking and CEO, ASEAN and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “India is a key market within Standard Chartered, and we have ambitious plans as the country’s growth story continues to unfold. His in-depth experience and understanding of the markets, coupled with strong client and stakeholder relationships, will be a valuable addition to the Bank’s leadership team as we accelerate our cross-border and wealth strategy.”