Deutsche Bank has appointed Ashok Aram as chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa region, replacing Dr Henry Azzam who will become the bank's non-executive chairman for the region.

Aram, who joined Deutsche Bank in London in 2009, was formerly a managing director at Abraaj Capital, a private equity company based in Dubai.

In his new role, Aram will be responsible for all the bank’s activities in the MENA region, including the management of client relationships and implementation of its growth strategy. He will report to Jürgen Fitschen, a member of the firm’s management board.

Additionally, Aram will chair the bank´s MENA executive committee and will be responsible for the maintenance of corporate governance structure.

Meanwhile, as the bank’s non-executive chairman in the region, Dr Azzam will be responsible for maintaining close relationships with government bodies and regulators, fostering business links, increasing awareness and representing the bank at conferences and international financial bodies.

In the MENA region, Deutsche Bank employs close to 200 people, offering investment banking, private wealth management, asset management and global transaction banking services.