Seasoned Marketer Suresh Balaji Joins Lloyds Banking Group as CMO

Seasoned Marketer Suresh Balaji Joins Lloyds Banking Group as CMO

(IN BRIEF) Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Suresh Balaji as its Chief Marketing Officer, effective from October 16. In his new role, Balaji will oversee the Brand, Marketing, and Experience function for the group. He will be responsible for developing and maintaining the group’s diverse portfolio of brands, crafting marketing strategies, promoting creative excellence, and designing customer experiences to drive business growth. Balaji previously served as the Global Head of Marketing & Communications at Standard Chartered Bank and held various leadership roles at HSBC over a 17-year tenure. His experience spans marketing and sales roles at companies like United Breweries, WPP, and GSK.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 12-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Lloyds Banking Group, a leading UK based financial services group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Suresh Balaji as Chief Marketing Officer, effective from October 16.

In his role as Chief Marketing Officer, Suresh will lead the group-wide Brand, Marketing, and Experience function, overseeing various critical aspects of the business. His responsibilities will encompass the development and maintenance of the Group’s diverse and sustainable portfolio of brands, the formulation of innovative marketing strategies, the promotion of creative excellence, and the design of exceptional customer experiences aimed at fostering business growth.

Suresh joins Lloyds Banking Group from Standard Chartered Bank, where he served as Global Head of Marketing & Communications, overseeing the function across Consumer, Private, and Business Banking segments, based in Hong Kong.

Prior to his tenure at Standard Chartered Bank, Suresh dedicated 17 years to HSBC, where he held a variety of regional, country, and global leadership positions. His most recent role at HSBC was as Chief Marketing Officer for the Asia-Pacific region. Suresh’s early career includes valuable experience in marketing and sales roles at United Breweries, WPP, and GSK.

Lloyds Banking Group welcomes Suresh Balaji’s extensive expertise and leadership as he assumes the role of Chief Marketing Officer, contributing to the Group’s continued growth and development.

Suresh, who has recently relocated to the UK, said: “To be Lloyds Banking Group’s CMO at this point in its history is truly an honour and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Lloyds Banking Group has helped millions of customers prosper over the course of its history, and there is no better time to be joining than now – to grow our brands, build world-class experiences and get creative for the wide range of customers the Group supports.”

Jayne Opperman, Chief Executive Officer for Consumer Relationships, Lloyds Banking Group said: “I’m delighted to welcome Suresh to Lloyds Banking Group. As a highly accomplished marketing leader with an outstanding track record in financial services, his passion to create digital and data-led change will help us make a huge difference for our customers. I know he’ll be a great addition to our team.”

Media contacts:

Gregor Low | gregor.low@lloydsbanking.com
Olwen Jones-Lowe | olwen.jones-lowe@lloydsbanking.com

SOURCE: Lloyds Bank plc