RHB appoints new head of group corporate communications and media relations

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RHB Banking Group has appointed Nishanthi Palani as its new head, group corporate communications and media relations, effective this month.

Nishanthi was previously the head of strategic communications at SD Guthrie, reporting directly to its chief communications officer Leela Barrock. In that role, she also led a team of eight across two units, corporate affairs as well as content and channels, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Besides leading the development and publication of the company's integrated and sustainability reports, Nishanthi also co-developed communication strategies, managed internal and external communication channels, and led crisis communications across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and others.

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Nishanthi was with SD Guthrie, formerly known as Sime Darby Plantation before a demerger, for over three and a half years. Prior to that, she was the vice president of strategic communications at Leela Barrock & Associates for three years, which was a communications consultancy specialising in strategic reputation management and advocacy. From 2011 to 2017, Nishanthi held four different roles within Sime Darby.

Announcing her appointment on LinkedIn, Nishanthi said a word of appreciation for her former teammates. "To everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with, from my early days at Sime Darby Group to SD Guthrie (formerly Sime Darby Plantation), plus my time as a consultant— thank you for the lessons, the laughs, and the late-night deadlines. You have shaped me in ways you’ll never see on a CV," she wrote.

She also added that after years of mentorship under Barrock and years with Sime, she finally left the nest to join RHB.

Meanwhile, Wan Seri Rahayu Wan Mohd Said, head of group corporate communications and social impact at RHB Banking Group welcomed Nishanthi onboard her team.

"Say hello to Nishanthi Palani, our newest partner-in-crime, communications powerhouse, and possibly the only person bold enough to jump industries and join us right as we wrapped up our Integrated Annual Report season and launched our new three-year corporate strategy, Progress27," she said on a LinkedIn post.

"She’s traded the wide-open landscapes of plantation business for the layered, acronym-loving world of regulated financial services sector— and she’s already bringing fresh energy and fearless curiosity to the mix," added Wan Seri.

According to checks by A+M, RHB Banking Group opened up applications for the role of head, group corporate communications and media relations a month ago on LinkedIn. According to the job posting, the senior manager will be tasked to lead and execute strategic communications initiatives that enhances its brand image and strengthen the bank's media presence.

It added that the key role involves managing corporate communications, media relations, and public affairs efforts, developing and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets, and overseeing the creation of compelling content for internal and external stakeholders.

The role is designed to strategically support group chief sustainability and communications officer, in all corporate communications, media and events management related matters, with the following key areas of coverage.

A+M has reached out to Nishanthi Palani and RHB Banking Group for further comments.

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