From London and Sydney to Singapore: Global HR Talent secured

The challenge

Standard Chartered is a UK-headquartered leading global financial services group consisting of 90,000 employees across 54 markets. With a focus on growth and ongoing high performance, the group looked to invest in global HR leadership bench strength externally, in one of their key global hubs of Singapore, where a number of the Group Leadership team sit.

Standard Chartered wanted to hire the strongest Technology and Consumer Wealth global HR MD level leadership in the market, with a commercial focus on transformation.

Charlotte Matthew and the Frazer Jones global financial services HR executive search team were delighted to be retained by the Group HR Leadership team directly to appoint two Global Head of HR MDs, one aligned to the global Technology and Transformation business and another aligned to the global Wealth & Retail Banking business. These critical positions were introduced to partner the group executive leadership team directly, driving HR strategy, hr advisory, performance, operational efficiency, and transformation group-wide, for their respective businesses internationally.

The solution

Leveraging their extensive experience in placing senior HR leaders across global financial services hubs, Charlotte and the Frazer Jones team conducted a thorough international search. The practice mapped and assessed top-tier HR talent across key markets, including New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Dubai, and Australia, with the strategic intent of basing both Global MD roles in Singapore.

The outcome

The comprehensive search led to the successful relocation of a candidate from the UK, who brought extensive international experience, including a previous Head of HR role for the Americas in the US and senior Group HR positions with leading global corporates in the UK. Having previously spent significant time working in Singapore, the candidate was well-positioned to transition seamlessly into the new role.

The second MD appointment involved relocating a candidate from Australia who brought extensive experience across Group, Regional, and Country-level HR roles. With a strong track record in Consumer Banking strategy and transformation, the individual had demonstrated consistent career progression with their previous employer, having worked in key markets including London and Australia.

Both individuals have continued to thrive within Standard Chartered, demonstrating strong career trajectories. Notably, Dan has transitioned into the role of Global Head of Workforce Transformation, following his impactful performance as Global HR MD for Technology & Transformation — a role he was appointed to through our search.

Furthermore, Standard Chartered has grown to be one of Frazer Jones’ flagship global partnerships over the years, partnering with the group and their stakeholders in Singapore, London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, and beyond, extending this partnership across The SR Group to support other leading specialist functions.

client testimonial

“Charlotte is an exceptional professional who has a deep understanding of the HR market and is an expert at identifying and recruiting top talent. I have had the opportunity to work with Charlotte and was incredibly impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and expertise in the HR space. She quickly understood our requirements, organization and culture and was able to identify the right candidates quickly. I highly recommend Charlotte, she is an outstanding professional who goes above and beyond to deliver exception service and results. Any organization that engages Charlotte’s services can be assured of receiving the highest levels of service and results.”

Diane Brokenshire, Global Head of HR , Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking (MD/MT), Standard Chartered

candidate testimonial

“Charlotte has been an exceptional partner in my appointment to a Global MD role and a huge support in the relocation from Sydney, Australia to Singapore. Charlotte’s knowledge of the Financial Services landscape and the Singapore market has been invaluable and highly appreciated.”

Chris Frawley, Global HR Head, Consumer & Personal Banking (MD), Standard Chartered

candidate testimonial

“Charlotte was an absolute pleasure to work with; her guidance and support helped me and my family understand all aspects of a job in Singapore and in a different sector. Her knowledge of the organisation and her responsiveness when we had a question definitely contributed to our decision and overall experience and it was clear she saw the role and my appointment much more than a tick box exercise to fill a job for a client.”

Dan Blackburn, Global HR Head, Technology & Transformation (MD), Standard Chartered