Standard Chartered and UK Government announce new “Financial Services Leadership Programme” during PM Modi’s visit to the UK

~ Standard Chartered supports PM Modi’s Skill India Initiative ~

Mumbai, 13 November 2015 – Standard Chartered, the largest foreign bank in India, has partnered with the UK Government to create the “Standard Chartered - Chevening Financial Services Leadership Programme for India”. The new programme was unveiled during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK, and seeks to support his ambitious “Skill India” initiative.

Standard Chartered and the UK Government will award Chevening scholarships to high flying Indian professionals from across the private and public sectors, including Indian regulators, civil servants and academics, who have the potential to become leaders in their field.  Applicants will be welcome from a wide range of disciplines and companies, whether in banking, insurance, risk management, accounting, regulation or public policy.

Once selected, the Scholars will study at leading UK universities for 3 months, job shadow senior professionals in leading City of London firms, meet with regulators and government officials in the UK and participate in the prestigious Chevening alumni programmes after returning to India.  The first eight Scholars will be enrolled in the programme in September 2016.

Mr. Ajay Kanwal, Regional CEO, ASEAN and South Asia at Standard Chartered, welcomed the new partnership:

“India and Mumbai is home to Standard Chartered, as we opened our very first branch in Kolkata more than 150 years ago and have grown to be the largest foreign bank in the country, with more than 20,000 Indian employees.  We are proud to celebrate Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK by announcing the Standard Chartered – Chevening Financial Services Leadership Programme.  Working closely with the Indian authorities and the British Government, our support will enable talented Indian professionals to benefit from UK universities’ world class expertise and further strengthen skills development in India’s fast growing financial services industry.”

Scholars will return to their professional positions with new specialist skills and experience of cutting edge practice and regulation.  The programme will strengthen further cooperation between India and the UK (the world’s largest exporter of financial services) and help improve industry capability in both countries as India seeks to scale up its financial sector capabilities.  

Standard Chartered

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