Indian banker appointed retail head in the UAE

Dubai: A 55-year-old Indian banker has been appointed head of Dubai-based Mashreq's retail banking group, third-biggest bank by assets.

Som Subroto, alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad has taken over from Farhad Irani, who is leaving after almost five years, Mashreq said in a statement.

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO of Mashreq said Som has three decades of retail banking experience with organisations like Citi Bank and Standard Chartered where he has held several senior business, risk and operations assignments.

"He brings a very similar world view and experience to Farhad's and he will bring his own ideas on innovation to the retail bank. Although the transition is seamless, I think his approach to innovation at RBG will shift us up a gear," Al Ghurair said.

Som's assignments include Global Head SME Banking, Head of Consumer Banking, Seoul First Bank South Korea and Regional Head Consumer Banking Middle East & South Asia based in Dubai.

His last assignment with Standard Chartered was Regional Head of Consumer Banking, ASEAN based in Singapore where he was responsible for a retail business that generated revenue in excess of USD 2 billion.

"I am truly impressed with Mashreq's prowess in the digital banking and payments space. I am excited about the enormous possibilities for building on these achievements to break new ground in the market," Som said.