Awards Announcement Series

Executive Summary

• Risk Manager with 15 years global and regional experience in Operational Risk Management, new business risk management and implementing and overseeing strategic and regulatory change initiatives. 
• Experience in developing, implementing and overseeing global risk management frameworks, including leading several global transformation projects to enhance risk management frameworks, risk culture and governance.
• Deep understanding of investment banking and wealth management businesses, products and inherent non-financial risks.
• International experience with work experience US, EMEA and Asia markets and an ability to communicate, operate and influence across countries and cultures.
• Strong communication skills with senior management, regulators, internal and external stakeholders.  Periodically prepared and deliver reports to Board and Executive level management as well as articulate approach and framework to multiple of regulators.
• Track-record in establishing and communicating the value proposition and commercial relevance of a strong risk management framework to senior management and as a result drivin improved risk culture, awareness and embedding.                                                                                  

Professional Experience

Nomura Group

Global Head of Operational Risk, 2019 – present

• Design, implement and oversee the operating effectiveness of the Operational Risk Management Framework in Nomura Group’s global businesses and subsidiaries.
• Oversee global team of 50 in Japan, Asia, EMEA and Americas.
• Provide an independent assessment of Operational Risk to Nomura Group Board and senior management, including forward looking view of top and emerging risks.
• Developed the firm’s strategy and execution of a new Non-Financial Risk Framework.  Oversaw development and implementation of a new Non-Financial Risk Taxonomy, Risk Appetite Framework and roles and responsibilities across 3LOD.
• Advise and challenge senior management on operational risk exposures in their business and corporate functions.
• Develop systems, technologies and quantitative methods to improve management of Operational Risk globally.

Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong

Head of Operational Risk Management, Asia ex-Japan, 2015 – present

• Oversee and manage the implementation of Nomura’s global Operational Risk Framework in Asia-ex Japan.  .
• Oversee regional team of 7.
• Provide senior management with overview of the Operational Risk profile for AEJ. 
• Face-off to regional regulators such as HK SFC, Singapore MAS, Korea FSS and others.
• Oversee and participate in internal investigations as member of the Internal Investigation Committee.  Conduct forensic deep-dives and interviews on varied cases such as potential fraud, whistle blowing, client complaints and market abuse.

Head of New Business, Asia ex-Japan, 2018 - 2019

• Oversaw and managed the implementation of Nomura’s New Business Approval framework in Asia ex-Japan, including new product approval, significant transaction approval and reputational risk committees.
• Managed team of 6 based in Hong Kong and Singapore.
• Face-off to heads of business to challenge around key strategic risk and due diligence issues.
• Managed development of Approved Product List for internal and regulatory use.

Chief Administrative Officer Risk Management, Asia ex-Japan, 2015 – 2019

• Co-ordination and submission of annual budget and investment plans and monitoring spend against budget throughout the year. 
• Identification and delivering of cost saving initiatives.
• Preparation of presentations for AEJ CRO for regional town hall meetings, regulatory interactions and executive management. 
• Oversaw key change projects including system implementation and remediation of control issues.

Nomura International plc, London, UK

Global New Business Division COO, 2012 – 2014

• Developed the Group New Business Approval Policy covering Wholesale, Asset Management and Retail Divisions by working with group company executives such as Global CFO, CLO, CRO and business division management.   The policy was approved by the group Board and was the first group wide policy for new business approval for the firm.
• Developed a new product and complex transaction approval process for the Global Wholesale business by working with business leadership in Global Markets and Investment Banking.  Created procedures, led IT development of a workflow tool and an approved product database and developed global training.  Resulted in a globally consistent approach to new product approval and increased efficiency in approval of cross-border business.

EMEA Head of New Business, 2011 – 2014

• Implemented new product and transaction approval in the EMEA business, managing a team of 7 (1 ED, 3 VPs, 3 Associates). 
• Improved efficiency and control around the approval processes by documenting procedures and reducing bureaucracy as measured by improved turn-around times, positive feedback from business lines and reduction in operational risk events or errors as a result of new product launches.
• Led interaction with and managed regulatory audits conducted by Bank of England (PRA), UK Financial Conduct Authority, Bank of Japan and JFSA.  Successfully provided assurance to regulators of the robustness of new product approval process as measured by limited remediation points during a period when regulators were requesting external audits on all focus areas.
• Improved oversight of risk and returns of new and complex products by developing product back-testing, whereby revenue generated by products were assessed after one year.  Presented findings to regional Board and business leadership, resulting in certain non-performing businesses lines being discontinued or altered.  As a result, management was provided assurance that business lines were accountable for introducing new products, processes and operational risks to the firm. 

Senior Risk Manager, Operational Risk Management, 2009 – 2011

• Implemented the Operational Risk Framework in Global Markets and Investment Banking following acquisition of Lehman Brothers EMEA business. Worked with business line COOs and managed operational risk team of 3 individuals to develop the risk and control self-assessments by desk, implement key risk indicators and operational risk event investigation and reporting.  Operational Risk Framework was rolled-out to the businesses lines within 6 months of integration. 
• Initiated and developed reporting for monthly risk and control meetings by regional business line which reviewed the operational risk profile front to back with representatives from all corporate departments, resulting in improved ownership of operational risk.  Expanded regional meetings to global product lines by working with Global Heads of Trading and corporate departments, coordinating with regional ORM and developing a cross-regional aggregated risk profile.  Meetings were led by head of business, demonstrating ownership of Operational Risk by first line of defense.
• Created front-to-back trade process maps by aggregating information between IT, Operations, and trading.  Documented key controls and manual processes, which provided senior management with detailed view on infrastructure requirements.

Deloitte & Touche, London, UK

Manager, Financial Services Advisory, 2006 - 2009 

• Advised clients on implementation of credit, market and operational risk management frameworks; advised clients on implementation of Basel II and CRD requirements.  Clients included leading universal banks, investment banks, asset managers, hedge funds and regulators.  
• Advised on the integration of the operational risk management function with corporate security and technology risk for a leading European universal bank. Assisted in integrating Sarbanes-Oxley procedures into operational risk functions.  
• Developed credit risk policies and procedures for a US bank starting a new deposit taking and lending institution in the UK.
• Project managed implementation of transaction reporting tool for a leading Swiss investment bank.
• Assisted a European brokerage in developing counterparty, operational and credit risk management around its margin lending business.
• Developed and implemented the internal capital adequacy assessment process (ICAAP) for more than 10 banks, investment managers, securities brokers and asset managers.
• Developed a post-merger target operating model and project plan for the integration of global Compliance functions of two leading banking groups.
• Clients included UBS, Lloyds, ING, Barclays, RBS and various investment managers.

Export-Import Bank of the United States, Washington, DC, USA

International Business Development Office, 2002 - 2004                                                       

• Conducted marketing and sales activities to increase Ex-Im Bank financing in southeast Europe.  Oversaw an increase in business activity by 90% and 75% in 2002 and 2003, year on year.
• Arranged and structured and trade finance with banks, private companies, and governments.  Arranged balance sheet loans, letters of credit, secured lending, and project financing.

• Analyzed financial statements and cash flow projections to determine creditworthiness of counterparties and projects.

Martin Kimmig is a Chief Risk Officer who heads AIIB’s risk management. He joined the AIIB from The Rock Creek Group where he held the position of a Managing Director covering emerging market equities. Prior, he spent a 24-year career at the World Bank Group in particular the International Finance Corporation where he held leadership positions in both investment operations and risk management. Martin Kimmig holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Freiburg and a CFA designation.

Gilbert Kohnke is the Group Chief Risk Officer CRO and a Member of Executive Committee of Maybank Group since 1 November 2017. He has Group oversight responsibility for the full spectrum of risk. He also leads an expert networking group as the Chairman of the Chief Risk Officers' Forum established by the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) to ensure continuous dialogue with key stakeholders and enhance professional banking competencies. Prior to joining Maybank, he was the Group CRO of Danske Bank in Denmark, from 2015 to 2017, where he had similar risk oversight responsibilities. During his time as the CRO of OCBC from 2005 to 2014, OCBC was rated the "Safest Bank in the World" in the post global financial crisis period.

He has over 30 years of broad-based, global banking experience, working in Asia, Europe, North America, and Scandinavia, alternating between front office and risk control function roles. Gilbert is considered as a "Thought-leader" in digital transformations of risk functions and towards customer-centric financial services. He has a proven record of implementing organization-wide risk transformations in response to the emergence of non-traditional players, increasing regulations such as raising capital requirements, and the imperative to move towards a digital ecosystem. In Maybank, he continues the mission of Maybank becoming 'The Best Risk House Across Asia' with a new focus on value creation and innovation to address digital transformations, superior customer experience and regulatory requirements.

Campbell Nicoll is chief risk officer (CRO) at Regional Australia Bank, with 15 years' experience in credit and operational risk management. His previous roles in the financial sector include general manager positions at ASB Bank and a CRO role at the Bank South Pacific.

Catherine joined Citi in September 2013 as head of Government Affairs for Asia Pacific. Catherine works closely with senior management, business heads, and Citi Country Officers on policy and regulatory issues impacting the firm by engaging with policymakers and industry groups. Catherine also coordinates and manages the Citi Government Affairs representatives in the region.

Prior to joining Citi, Catherine worked at State Street Bank and Trust as Head of Regulatory, Industry and Government Affairs, Asia Pacific. Before that Catherine was a diplomat at the Australian Embassy Beijing, a research fellow in the Faculty of Law and Politics at Keio University Japan and a policy advisor in the Australian Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Foreign Affairs and Trade on political, strategic and trade issues.

Catherine has played an active role in various industry associations, including the U.S. National Centre for APEC (Board Member), US-ASEAN Business Council (Financial Services Committee and Chairman Council), Asian Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (Public Policy Committee Member and former Alternate Board Member), the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (former Financial Services Committee Head and former Board Member), Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers (Member of Chairman’s Circle) and the Asia Business Trade Association (Member). Catherine has also been active in the APEC Business Advisory Council, Advisory Group on APEC Financial System Capacity Building and the APEC Asia Pacific Financial Forum and the World Economic Forum Digital ASEAN Initiative.

Catherine speaks English, Mandarin and Japanese.

Regulatory expert and manager covering legal and regulatory developments impacting the banking activities, market activities and post trade activities.

Steve Coats is an instructional leader and presenter who is at his best when teaching, team building, facilitating meetings, and corporate training, in person and online.  Based in Hong Kong, Steve has worked internationally, collaborating with clients to shape, program, and bring events to life.  

The Fund works on the basis that the world is enjoying a period of substantial productivity growth as the consequences of technology, a changing policy environment and faster capital accumulation improve global living standards. But as with all great productivity shifts, this era is characterised by rapid change that destroys capital and impacts people's lives. Such an age needs an investment approach that can harness these trends.

My Global Opportunities Fund at Colonial First State Global Asset Management was open for 18 months. It returned 38.04% from inception. In relative terms it beat its benchmark (MSCI ACWI) by 15.53%.

Lessep Investment Management is an Australian-based Global Equity Investment firm. Eminence Asset Management HK is a Hong Kong based investment firm.

James Cheo is Chief Investment Officer, Southeast Asia for Private Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC. Mr. Cheo is a member of the Global Investment Committee for Private Banking and Wealth Management and also a member of the Regional Investment Committee in Asia. In his role, he spearheads the development of investment strategies across all asset classes for private banking and wealth management clients in Southeast Asia. Prior to re-joining HSBC Private Banking, James was Senior Investment Strategist at Bank of Singapore, where he was responsible for asset allocation and thematic research. Before that, James assumed Investment Strategist roles at Barclays Wealth Asia. From 2004 to 2009, James served as Senior Economist at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, where he was part of the team that formulated policy actions for Singapore during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. With his knowledge and wealth of experience, his investment views are frequently sought after. He has established a strong media profile, with appearances on notable financial media including Bloomberg, CNBC, Channel News Asia, Channel 8 Mandarin News; and printed publications such as the Financial Times, Straits Times, Business Times. James graduated with First Class Honours in Finance from Nanyang Technological University. He was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst charter in 2007.

Fanda leads the Investment team in Prudential Hong Kong and is responsible for Strategic Asset Allocation and Portfolio Hedging to enhance the return and risk management for the products in order to meet the long term investment target. She is also responsible for overseeing the selection and performance of underlying managers. She works with key partners within Prudential group to design investment and operational framework for efficiently managing the entire portfolios, including tactical asset allocation, derivatives and other investment strategies (such as ESG and Alternatives). She also drives new product ideas from an investment initiative and supports investment related matters for marketing.

Fanda has over 14 years of experience in asset management and liability hedging for global insurance companies. Prior to joining Prudential Hong Kong in 2017, Fanda was the Client Solutions Director with Aviva Investors in London where she provided asset related solutions to internal and external clients. Before that she was the Senior Portfolio Manager overseeing the investment strategy of ₤50 bn annuity funds and also leading the hedging strategy of ₤100bn With-Profits funds in Prudential UK. Fanda is a CFA Charterholder and possesses BSc Actuarial Science from London School of Economics and MPhil Finance from University of Cambridge.

Chris Whiteley is a Partner of our Finance Group. 

Chris specialises in structured finance, particularly "OTC" derivative transactions. He advises in relation to traditional hedging and trading activities and complex strategic and funding transactions, together with related credit support arrangements. He also has extensive experience of central clearing and other credit risk mitigants. He also advises in relation to the regulatory aspects of financial markets, especially wholesale markets.

Chris has previously worked as a lawyer in London and Paris, as well as with JP Morgan in London where he worked in the credit portfolio group and corporate derivatives group.

Errol has worked as Global Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel, APAC Head of Compliance & Legal and Legal Director at top tier investment banks, securities brokers, fund managers and listed blue chip corporates in Hong Kong. Prior to working at financial institutions, Errol worked at magic circle law firms in London and Sydney. Errol has managed Compliance teams, partnered with Chief Operating Officers to successfully execute MIFIDII & Brexit Compliance programs, addressed MAS & ASIC inspections, conducted internal anti-bribery investigations, established KYC, AML & anti-bribery policies and delivered IT solutions to implement AML & KYC programs. He has also organised the media strategy for responding to bribery allegations. He is a leading speaker at conferences organised by Asia Risk & International Financial Law Review and asked for his views in GC Magazine - The Legal 500. Errol is currently advising and leading Uncleared Margin Projects impacting OTC derivatives documented under ISDA terms at leading Australian funds"

Errol is a qualified lawyer who is licensed to practice in Hong Kong, Australia, England and New York. 

Amelia Xiao Fu is the head of Commodity Markets Strategy at Bank of China International. Her team covers all commodity sectors ranging from energy, base metals, precious metals and agriculture. The team’s focus is to combine top-down global macro / financial drivers with fundamental analysis to provide investment advice. In 2019, BOCI won ‘Commodities Research House of the Year’ Award by Energy Risk.

She speaks regularly at global conferences and is frequently quoted by media including Bloomberg, Reuters, the FT and the Wall Street Journal.

Before joining BOCI, Xiao worked as a commodity strategist at Deutsche Bank in London. She studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Harvard University.

Steve Coats is an instructional leader and presenter who is at his best when teaching, team building, facilitating meetings, and corporate training, in person and online.  Based in Hong Kong, Steve has worked internationally, collaborating with clients to shape, program, and bring events to life.  

Bénédicte is the Head of the BIS Innovation Hub, Hong Kong Centre. Prior to this appointment, she was a managing director at SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered Bank that leads a series of new ventures across digital banking, banking as a service, SME finance and blockchain. From 2018-2019, she was the Vice President of International Government Relations at Circle, involved in the evolution of blockchain and digital assets. From 2012-2018, she was the Head of Risk & Strategy of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and in that capacity also acting as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Emerging Risks and the Fintech research lead for the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). From 2007-2012, she was a managing director at Credit Suisse and before that from 1997-2007 she was an associate and executive director at Goldman Sachs. Originally from Belgium, she holds LL.M. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Leuven. She is admitted to the New York Bar since 1999. In 2016, she was a recipient of the China Daily Asian Women Leadership Awards for her efforts related to entrepreneurship, innovation and charity. She remains closely engaged in these topics, most recently through her involvement in the Fintech Association of Hong Kong (FTAHK) and Women in Finance Asia (WiFA.) 

Nagarajan (Nags) Sankaranarayanan is Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Asia ex-Japan currently based in Singapore. He has regional responsibility for over 600 professionals across 12 countries, overseeing Operations, IT, Finance, Corporate Real Estate and Services, Data Management and Security, Corporate Transformation and Fin-Tech projects as well as Business Continuity Management. He also sits on the board of various Nomura’s companies.

Nags has 25 plus years of work experience in various leadership roles across both business and broad corporate/support areas in investment banks and start-up hedge fund. Prior to joining Nomura, he worked at Goldman Sachs, LionRock Capital (hedge fund) and JP Morgan in capacities as Equity Sales Trader, COO, and in the CFO office. Nags also has extensive experience in setting up and managing businesses, M&A, risk management, business strategy, global project and cost management programs, offshoring and managing large teams. Over his career, he has lived and worked across multiple Asian countries, including India, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Nags is also passionate about technology and finance, as well as a keen supporter of entrepreneurship. He has invested in and actively advises and mentors technology and finance-related startups.

Nags holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Cost Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Dominic Wu is the head of risk management at BCT Group.  He has 20+ years of experience in banking, securities, assets management, pension fund and consultancy. Dominic is a qualified accountant, fraud examiner and professional risk manager and did his MBA from University of Hull, UK. He is sought out speaker in risk management and provides training to regulators, universities, financial institutions and professional bodies. He is the Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Chapter of the Institute of Operational Risk (IOR) and Asia Financial Risk Think Tank.

A senior leader in financial services with over ten years of progressive experience and achievement in building and managing teams, program management and organizational process improvement. A seasoned problem solver with a proven track record in overseeing and delivering multi-million dollar projects, post-acquisition integrations and turning around troubled projects. A focused achiever excelling in envisioning the big picture and carrying a project/vision through from infancy to fruition. Also managed Capital Markets development teams covering Equities, Prime Brokerage, Structured Notes, FX & MM delivering solutions for Front, Middle and Back-office. As well as managed programs and projects for Oil, Gas, Base Metals, Power, Structured Notes, NDF, FX Forwards, FX Options and Interest Rate Swaps.

I have over 30 years experience in Investment Banking Operations, spanning all aspects of the Trade Life Cycle.
I am highly motivated and I am comfortable in either Transformation or Service Delivery roles.
I have a proven track record of delivery at a varied array of Organisations.