London,
05
February
2019
|
10:12
Europe/London

Head of State Bank of India UK Operations honoured by City Corporation

The outgoing Regional Head of the State Bank of India’s UK operations, Sanjiv Chadha, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting UK-India relations.

Mr Chadha took up his position at the helm of the 98-year-old London office of the State Bank of India in 2014. The bank announced the launch of its UK subsidiary in April of last year. Mr Chadha is succeeded in his role by Sharad Chandak, who was also present at the ceremony.

Mr Chadha was nominated for the Freedom of the City of London by the Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin and Sheriff Vincent Keaveny. His Freedom ceremony at Guildhall on Monday began with him reading aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and ended with him being greeted by Murray Craig, Clerk to the Chamberlain's Court, as a ‘Citizen of London’ and the presentation of his framed parchment certificate.

Mr Chadha is the latest distinguished Indian national to have received the Freedom. Previous recipients include Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the Republic of India in 1947.

Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin said:

“The Freedom of the City of London is a very special and ancient tradition, bestowed to recognise an individual’s remarkable contribution to London or public life, or an outstanding achievement.

“My colleagues and I are delighted to nominate Sanjiv Chadha for the Freedom of the City of London. He’s been an excellent voice leading the Indian banking community and overseeing significant investment into the City.

“The State Bank of India is one of the oldest and most respected foreign banks in the Square Mile. Mr Chadha has been instrumental in expanding the bank’s presence across the UK, and in boosting wider bilateral ties in financial services.”

The Freedom of the City of London is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade; and today, people are nominated for, or apply for, the Freedom, because it offers them a link with the historic City of London and one of its ancient traditions.

The Freedom is also offered to individuals by the City of London Corporation to help celebrate a significant achievement, or to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to London life or public life. High-profile recipients include Dame Judi Dench, Sir Peter Hall, J.K. Rowling, Dame Eileen Atkins, Plácido Domingo, Lord Norman Foster, Sir Michael Caine, and Damian Lewis.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

For more information contact:

Nathan Rodgers, Media Officer for Asia

City of London Corporation

Nathan.rodgers@cityoflondon.gov.uk

0207 332 3451 / 07864 625086