Accra, Aug. 2, GNA - Standard Chartered Plc has appointed Mr Nii Okai Nunoo, current Area Head of Corporate Affairs, West Africa, as its new Regional Head of Sustainability for Africa.

The appointment, which took effect on July 1, 2011, would see Mr Nunoo continue to perform his existing West Africa role alongside the new role.

This was contained in statement issued by the bank and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday.

The statement said: “Nii is expected to bring his wealth of expertise and consistent strategic vision and leadership to drive the bank’s sustainability agenda across the African continent” having had over five years experience at the bank and a total of over 18 years experience in corporate communications practice.

It said: “Standard Chartered’s Sustainability Agenda defines how the bank does business. It focuses on activities that not only enhance the bank’s business performance now and for the long term, but also boosts the economic development of the countries the bank operates in, has a positive impact on the environment and society, as well as contributing to good governance.”

Mr Gill James, Group Head of Sustainability and Operations at Standard Chartered Plc, said: “Nii’s appointment should help in delivering a more strategic and prioritized approach, in terms of sustainability issues for the Africa Region. Africa is a key continent for Standard Chartered and having been here for over 100 years, we believe we have a role as an International Universal Bank to create value beyond the profits we make.”

The statement said the appointment was in line with a restructuring of the bank’s Corporate Affairs function in Africa to give clarity to its four key disciplines - Business Communications, Sustainability, Brand & Sponsorship and Public Affairs.

Accepting the appointment, Mr Nunoo said: “Standard Chartered takes a long-term view of the consequences of its actions and it is committed to building a sustainable business that continues to be high performing, viewing all our actions in terms of their economic, social and environmental impact and contribution to governance.”