Former Vodafone CFO Halford joins Standard Chartered

FORMER VODAFONE CFO Andy Halford is to take the top finance post at investment bank Standard Chartered.

Halford helped build Vodafone into one of the biggest telecommunication businesses in the world in a 15-year stint, nine of which were as CFO. He will join the bank on 16 June.

He joined Vodafone in 1999 as FD for Vodafone Limited, the UK operating company, and in 2001 became FD for Vodafone’s Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Between 2002 and 2005, Halford was CFO of Verizon Wireless in the US before becoming a member of the board of representatives of the Verizon Wireless partnership until 2013. Prior to joining Vodafone, he was group FD at East Midlands Electricity.

Halford replaces Richard Meddings, who will step down on 30 June.

In March, Halford was recipient of the Business Finance Awards’ Outstanding Industry Contribution Award for his achievements at Vodafone. At the time, Financial Director editor Kevin Reed said Halford’s record is “one few can match”.

Standard Chartered chairman Sir John Peace said: “He [Halford] is an exceptional leader, bringing extensive financial, consumer and technology experience, most recently at one of the world’s leading telecoms companies, and will be a very welcome addition to our board.”

Halford said: “Standard Chartered has substantial opportunities for growth across some of the world’s most dynamic markets, so I am delighted to be joining the team at such an exciting time. I look forward to helping the business continue to drive sustainable and profitable growth while maintaining its position of financial strength.”