Standard Chartered Private Bank announced today it has appointed Desmond Liu as managing director and head of private banking, Hong Kong and North East Asia, to lead the strategic direction of the business in greater China and north-east Asia.

Standard Chartered Private Bank announced today it has appointed Desmond Liu as managing director and head of private banking, Hong Kong and North East Asia, to lead the strategic direction of the business in greater China and north-east Asia.

Liu’s role is a newly created position at the UK-listed bank.

In his new role, Liu will be based in Hong Kong and will report to Mary Huen, head of consumer banking, Hong Kong and to Rajesh Malkani, head of private bank, East.

“His wealth of experience in Private Banking in North East Asia will be a significant addition to our ambition to build a strong greater China hub for our clients. The Private Bank is well positioned in Asia and we look forward to Desmond's contribution as we continue to grow our business in this rapidly evolving region,” Rajesh Malkani, group head of Standard Chartered Private Bank, East, said in a statement.

Liu brings in over 30 years' experience in managing businesses in banking and financial institutions. His previous roles include that of private banking head for North Asia of HSBC Private Bank, managing the Greater China region, Japan, Philippines and India (offshore), head of private banking, North Asia and Greater China of DBS Bank Hong Kong.

He currently sits on the Corporate Advisory Board of Hong Kong Securities Institute.

Among recent developments at Standard Chartered’s private bank, it reportedly recently said it intends to focus in winning custom from the ultra-high net worth end of the spectrum as part of its expansion drive. Standard Chartered defines such clients as people who have $25 million invested with the bank, and who are thought to have assets of at least $100 million.