Rola Abu Manneh has made history as the first Emirati woman to serve as hashtag#CEO of Standard Chartered UAE since her appointment in August 2018. She has solidified her position as a leading figure in the UAE’s banking sector.
Under Abu Manneh’s leadership, Standard Chartered UAE has evolved into one of the group’s top five global markets. The bank has maintained impressive financial growth, showcasing resilience even amidst challenging economic landscapes.
Beyond financial achievements, Abu Manneh is a fervent advocate for women’s empowerment and female entrepreneurship in the hashtag#UAE. Notably, she launched the Standard Chartered Women in Tech accelerator program in 2020, providing mentorship, training, and funding to over 20 female-led startups. These initiatives have collectively raised $5 million in investment, highlighting Abu Manneh’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of female business leaders.
Her journey is marked by a series of pioneering milestones. Prior to her role at Standard Chartered , Abu Manneh held senior positions at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
She was acknowledged as “one of the most powerful and influential figures” in the “Women Business Leaders – Middle East List” by Arabian Business in 2021. Additionally, she received the “Banking Leader of the Year” award at the Gulf Business Awards and has been recognized as one of the “Middle East’s Power Businesswomen” by Forbes Middle East for three consecutive years.
Now, as one of the UAE’s foremost business leaders, Rola Abu Manneh is encouraging Emirati women to aspire to greatness in traditionally male-dominated industries. With initiatives like the Women in Tech program, she is paving the way for future female entrepreneurs and innovators, who will be essential in shaping the UAE’s economic future.
Rola Abu Manneh Leads Standard Chartered UAE, Middle East and Pakistan to New Heights.
