HSBC has appointed Farah Farooq as the new Head of Communications for the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, effective 1 February 2025, marking a significant step in furthering gender diversity in leadership positions within the financial services sector.
As Head of Communications, she will lead the development and execution of HSBC’s communications strategy across the MENAT region, positioning it as a central player in the bank’s global growth. Her leadership will help showcase the region’s critical role in the world’s most ambitious economic transformation agendas, while highlighting the bank’s broader international strategy.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Farah has consistently demonstrated her expertise in shaping high-performing teams and driving impactful communications strategies. Having been with HSBC for 14 years, she most recently served as Head of Communications for the UAE, where she played a pivotal role in communicating the bank’s growth story in the region.
As a woman leading the communications function for one of the world’s most prominent banks in a strategically vital region, Farah’s role reflects HSBC’s broader vision of nurturing female leadership across all levels of the organization. Farah will report functionally to Jessica Lee, HSBC’s Interim Group Head of Communications, Businesses & Markets, further exemplifying HSBC’s dedication to fostering gender equality at the highest levels of its global leadership team.
Before joining HSBC, Farah established the financial communications practice at Weber Shandwick in the Middle East, leading a team that served key clients, including government agencies, financial services, and multilateral banks.
Farah’s appointment highlights HSBC’s ongoing investment in diversity and inclusion in its leadership pipeline further solidifies its position as a champion for gender equity in the global financial industry.
