Maybank Singapore names John Lee CEO to replace Lim Hong Tat

Maybank has named current group chief risk officer John Lee (pictured centre) as CEO of Maybank Singapore, effective 1 December 2017. Lee takes over from Datuk Lim Hong Tat (pictured left), current CEO of Maybank Singapore and group head of Maybank’s community financial services (CFS).Lee’s appointment includes single-captainship responsibility for the entire spectrum of operations in Maybank Singapore, which is one of the group’s three home markets. He will also be responsible for leading Maybank Singapore to further strengthen its position as a major financial services provider in Singapore.Lee, who joined Maybank in 2011, previously held senior positions in financial services consulting and advisory. He was a partner with KPMG Business Advisory for 13 years, assisting numerous financial institutions across the Asia Pacific markets. He was also with Amanah Merchant Bank and the Kuala Lumpur Options and Financial Futures Exchange (KLOFFE).Lim will return to Malaysia to fully focus on the role of group head, CFS. He is tasked to drive and implement the group’s community banking strategy across all geographies including branch banking, consumer lending, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and business banking, sales and distribution, wealth management, payments, virtual banking, product innovation and customer segmentation.Meanwhile, Gilbert Kohnke (pictured right) has been appointed group chief risk officer, effective 1 November 2017. Kohnke, who will take over from Lee, will be responsible for leading the group risk transformation as well as balancing the need for resilient customer-centric risk practices amidst the increasingly stringent banking environment. He will also be focusing on group risk being a relevant and value-adding strategic partner within the business areas.Group president and CEO Datuk Abdul Farid Alias said : “This is an ongoing process designed to strengthen the group’s leadership team by bringing new ideas and further heightening the level of energy. I welcome Kohnke into the Maybank Group, and believe that together with Lee and Lim, their deep knowledge of the business and vast experience in banking will be invaluable to the group."