Standard Chartered has named Nalini Tarakeshwar as Global Head of Standard Chartered Foundation, as the bank moves to scale its efforts to tackle rising youth unemployment.
The appointment comes as the global jobs gap for young people widens, with unemployment reaching 12.4 per cent in 2025 and about 260 million young people not in education, employment or training, the bank said in a press release.
The problem is not just a lack of jobs.
Many young people, especially in developing markets, struggle to access skills, financing, and networks needed to enter the workforce or start businesses.
Women face even greater barriers, with participation rates significantly lower due to social and structural constraints.
Tarakeshwar will lead the Foundation’s global strategy and corporate philanthropy agenda, focusing on programmes, partnerships, and financing solutions aimed at improving employability and supporting entrepreneurship.
She brings more than 20 years of experience, most recently as UBS Optimus Foundation Deputy CEO.
“Today’s world has the largest generation of young people, yet one in five are not in employment, education or training,” said Standard Chartered Chief Strategy and Talent Officer Tanuj Kapilashrami.
“Through the Foundation, we have enabled over 1,00,000 jobs and impacted more than 7,00,000 lives, and her experience will help scale that impact further,” he added.
More than half of the jobs created by the Foundation have gone to women, reflecting its focus on inclusive growth.
“The Foundation has already enabled jobs for underserved young people, especially women, and we now have an opportunity to build on this and deliver impact at scale,” said Standard Chartered Foundation Global Head Nalini Tarakeshwar.
The Foundation aims to expand access to skills, support microbusinesses, and connect young people to sustainable employment using the bank’s global presence across 54 markets.
For the bank, the push signals a broader shift.
Closing the youth jobs gap is increasingly seen as essential for economic stability, as countries rely on a growing young population to drive future growth.
