Farah Farooq: Leading Communications in MENAT for HSBC
Portfolio - People | Jan 31, 2025 | Zawya
HSBC has appointed Farah Farooq as the Head of Communications for the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, effective from February 1, 2025. Based in Dubai, Farooq will spearhead the bank's communications strategy across this critical region, focusing on enhancing HSBC's global presence by leveraging the region's pivotal role in international trade and economic growth. Reporting to Jessica Lee and Selim Kervanc, Farooq will utilize her extensive experience in financial services and deep-rooted familiarity with HSBC to elevate the MENAT region's prominence within the bank's global operations. With over two decades in financial services communications and a previous role as Head of Communications for the UAE, Farooq brings a wealth of experience, having been instrumental in crafting and promoting the bank's growth narrative. Before her tenure at HSBC, she led the financial communications practice at Weber Shandwick in the Middle East. HSBC, recognized as the largest foreign banking entity in MENAT, operates in nine countries across the region and holds significant stakes in key financial institutions, emphasizing its robust regional footprint.
Sectors
- Banking
- Public Relations
Geography
- Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye – The article focuses on the MENAT region, where Farah Farooq will lead HSBC's communications.
Industry
- Banking – HSBC, a primary subject of the article, is a significant player in the banking industry in the MENAT region.
- Public Relations – The appointment concerns the leadership of communications strategies, a key aspect of Public Relations.
Financials
- US$69bn – HSBC's assets in the MENAT region as of December 31, 2023.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farah Farooq | Head of Communications for MENAT | People | Recently appointed to lead HSBC's communication strategy in the MENAT region. |
| HSBC | Appointing Company | Company | An international banking giant with an extensive presence in the MENAT region. |
| Jessica Lee | Interim Group Head of Communications, Businesses & Markets at HSBC | People | Reports to Farah Farooq functionally regarding communications strategy. |
| Selim Kervanc | Chief Executive Officer of HSBC MENAT | People | Provides entity-based oversight to Farah Farooq. |