KUALA LUMPUR: Standard Chartered Malaysia has appointed Mak Joon Nien as managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) effective from Aug 18. 

Mak takes over the reins from Abrar A Anwar, who has been CEO of Malaysia since 2017. 

He reports to Patrick Lee, who is CEO of Singapore and Asean markets.

"The bank takes great pride in having Mak as the bank's first Malaysian CEO. Mak commenced his 25-year career as a graduate trainee with Standard Chartered Malaysia in 1997. 

"He brings a diverse depth of banking knowledge having held several positions in our regional mergers and acquisition and leveraged finance businesses in Singapore. 

"Over the past five years, Mak led the coverage of CCIB in Malaysia and transformed the business through building a world-class team and developed a fully client-centric strategy to deliver greater scale and resilience," the bank said in a statement today.

Standard Chartered said Abrar would remain as board member of Standard Chartered Malaysia until the end of the year to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. 

He will also be supporting several regional initiatives within the bank. 

Succeeding Mak as head of client coverage of CCIB Malaysia is Patricia Wong, who will be double-hatting as regional head of global subsidiaries (GS) for Asean. 

Wong, who is also Malaysian, joined the bank in 2000 and since then, has accumulated extensive experience in Corporate Banking across its network including China, Malaysia and Qatar. 

Prior to returning to Malaysia, Wong was based in Shanghai covering her role as fegional head of GS for Greater China and North Asia. 

Lee said Malaysia remained an important market for Standard Chartered and the bank was committed to grow the franchise with focus on network businesses, sustainable finance, affluent and digital mass retail segments. 

"I am pleased to welcome Mak to his new role and am confident that his leadership skills, coupled with his extensive industry experience and sharp client focus will further drive our business strategy and performance in Malaysia. 

"I am equally delighted to strengthen the bank's leadership with Patricia helming the CCIB Client Coverage business which will benefit from her global experience.