Societe Generale Hires UOB Veteran
Societe Generale has strengthened its transaction banking franchise in Asia Pacific with the appointment of Joseph Chia as Head of Supply Chain Management, underscoring the French bank’s focus on working capital and open-account trade solutions.
Based in Singapore, Joseph Chia assumes the role with immediate effect. He reports regionally to Soo Tat Kua, Head of Global Transaction and Payment Services for Asia Pacific, and globally to Aurélien Viry, Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale Factoring.
The appointment comes as corporates across the region increasingly shift away from traditional documentary trade finance towards open-account structures, making supply chain finance an increasingly important component of transaction banking.
More Than 25 Years of Experience
In his new role, Chia will oversee the development of the bank’s accounts receivable and accounts payable solutions across Asia Pacific. Societe Generale said the move will strengthen its supply chain management offering, enhance its value proposition for clients and support the continued expansion of its transaction banking business.
Chia brings more than 25 years of experience in supply chain finance, trade finance and transaction banking across the region. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Regional Group Sales, Financial Supply Chain Management at UOB, where he was responsible for delivering working capital and supply chain finance solutions to corporate clients.
Before joining UOB, he spent more than 17 years at Japan’s SMBC, eventually becoming Group Head of Supply Chain Finance for Asia Pacific. During his tenure, he led regional teams across 13 markets, focusing on business growth, product innovation and client solutions.
Driving the Next Phase of Trade Finance
His expertise spans working capital solutions, receivables and payables finance, digital trade, ESG-linked supply chain finance and financial institution trade businesses in emerging markets, including partnerships with multilateral organisations, export credit agencies and trade credit insurers.
«Joseph’s appointment underscores our ambition to further strengthen our Supply Chain Management capabilities across Asia Pacific», said Soo Tat Kua. «With his extensive regional experience and deep expertise in working capital and trade solutions, he is exceptionally well positioned to help our clients optimize their supply chains, unlock greater value and support the continued growth of our transaction banking franchise.»
