Team Category: Management Committee

Andreas is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of HBL Bank UK, a subsidiary of HBL Pakistan. Andreas joined HBL in January 2018, as the General Manager and Country Head for HBL in the USA, tasked with leading the organization through a challenging and complex business transformation process as part of the bank’s refocused International Strategy.

Prior to HBL, Andreas held senior roles in Finance and Banking including COO of Tradewind Aviation, Global Head of Risk for Citigroup’s AML Operations, and Director of Fraud and Payment Risk for Citi’s North American Cards Franchise.

Andreas has spent a large part of his 25+ years’ experience leveraging his passion for analytics and technology to drive innovation and growth in both Fortune 50 Banks and pre-IPO startups alike.

Andreas holds a Master’s Degree in Technology Management, a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business, and a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, all from the University of Pennsylvania (USA).

Haaris has over 25 years’ experience in Corporate Banking, M&A advisory and Wealth Management. Haaris has worked with ABN Amro, RBS, Macquarie, Nedbank and Credit Suisse, working between Pakistan and the UK. He has extensive experience in arranging corporate lending facilities, trade financing, capital markets transactions and cross-border M&A advisory; focussing on General Manufacturing, Power, Mining, Oil & Gas and the Real Estate sectors. Since 2005 Haaris has managed a number of high profile relationships out of UK, with a recent focus on Family Owned and SME businesses, assisting them with their corporate lending and capital raising requirements. In addition, Haaris has extensive experience advising HNWI and Family Offices on Investment Management solutions.

Haaris has a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences and has qualified as a CFA.

Melanie has over 15 years of senior management and regulatory compliance experience predominantly gained in the wealth management and private banking sectors. She joined HBL UK in July 2023 from JM Finn where she was Director of Compliance and MLRO. Prior to Melanie’s six years with JM Finn, she served as Head of Risk and Compliance at James Hambro and Partners and before that held a number of roles at Smith & Williamson, including Compliance Director for the Investment and Banking Division and Director of Regulatory Policy.

Melanie has broad and practical compliance experience in managing large and complex developments within the ever changing and emerging regulatory landscape and ensuring good outcomes for customers.

Sameer began his financial services career in 1992 in Kenya before migrating to the UK in 1997. He worked with Barclays Private Bank and HBZ before joining HBL in 2016 as Relationship Manager Wealth. Sameer has over 25 years’ experience assisting Private, Corporate and Trust clients with bespoke multi-asset portfolios.

Sameer is a Chartered Wealth Manager and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Daniela joined HBL Bank UK in January 2020 as Head of Financial Institutions.

She has more than 28 years of experience within Financial Sector Mrs. Daniela Carella is recognised as a leader with deep experience in origination, global transaction services, cash management, risk mitigation, compliance, AML/CFT, customer orientation and strategic thinking.
She began her career in 1992 as deputy representative and RM for Philadelphia National Bank in Milan, Italy. Post Merge with First Union National Bank (FUNB), in 1998, she moved for the Bank to Philadelphia, USA, where she was Senior Relationship Manager in charge for EMEA banks in country. In 2001 she joined Deutsche bank, in Milan, Italy, as Manager for Global Cash Management Service Sales Financial Institutions. In 2003 she was recruited by ABN AMRO Bank, Milan, as Head of Global Cash Management Services Financial Institutions and her career continued with the bank post merge with Royal Bank of Scotland where she was Head of GTS origination for Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

Mrs. Carella moved to London in 2015 to join Standard Chartered Bank and head the European Network Banks team. In her role, she was heading a team of strategic advisors to Clients being responsible for the European origination and inbound relationships of Standard Chartered footprint markets “Asia, Africa and Middle East’’ banks as well as SCB own entities.

Career HR professional with over 25 years’ experience, gained predominantly within the Financial Services and Financial Technology sectors. Held a number of senior Head of HR and commercial Business Partnering roles throughout his career. David has worked in regional and global capacities covering EMEA, APAC and the Americas, working out of London, Hong Kong and Dublin. David is experienced in HR and Business transformation, culture change and regulation, business partnering, reward, restructuring, talent management, employee engagement and global M & A.

David has been with HBL UK since June 2019 as Head of HR supporting the Bank and the HR function through the continuous changes it needs to make to reach its goals and ambitions. David is also the bank’s company secretary and secretary to the Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

Kamran Farooqui is Banking Operations professional with more than 3 decades of banking experience around the world. Kamran started his banking operations life with Citibank in Pakistan. Since then he has worked in Saudi Arabia, UAE and UK. He has also taken short term work assignments in Gabon, US, Jordan and Bahrain. In recent past he has also worked as Global Head of Operational Risk, Head of Compliance, MLRO and Chief Risk Officer.

Kamran believes in technology support is essential to provide the best business support. He will be focusing in improving the technology use at HBL UK. He envisions HBL UK as a Bank of Choice for the niche market the bank is targeting for.

Kamran holds a BA degree from Karachi University.

Najam joined HBL Bank UK in November 2020 as its Chief Finance Officer.

Najam has more than 20 years of banking experience in managing Finance, Risk and Governance, in both Pakistan and the UK.  Najam has extensive experience in optimising capital, managing liquidity, leading operations, strategy, projects, technology and people.

During Najam’s ten year stint at Standard Chartered, both in Pakistan and the UK, he led the Pakistan banking operations as Interim Chief Executive Officer whilst maintaining responsibility for the Chief Financial Officer function. While in the UK Najam oversaw the bank’s global credit risk related challenges.

In addition, Najam’s diverse portfolio of skills and experience covers the following roles, Chief Information Officer, Head of Audit, Head of Risk and Board member where Najam effectively implemented business strategy and strengthened controls and governance.

Najam is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and holds a degree in law.

Rana is a seasoned risk professional and brings with him 24 years of diversified experience working in both Pakistani and foreign banks. Rana has held key positions in credit and risk functions throughout his career and his last assignment was with Askari Bank Limited where he served as Chief Risk Officer. Rana has also worked in HBL Pakistan where he managed domestic and international risk in addition to FI & Country risks.