Aaron Connell Email & Phone Number

Singapore

Singapore

SC Ventures is a platform and a catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology (Fintech) and explore alternative business models (Ventures). Member of the Venture building team and COO work stream. I lead a team of business accelerators who support Founders to launch new Ventures from seed funding. I am also responsible for Business Risk, Governance and Simplification agenda at SC Ventures globally. Previously, I was also accountable for Portfolio Management and Venture Operationalisation. The Venture building division explores new business models with the objective of providing ‘optionality’ for the Group in the way it engages existing and new customers and markets. These adopt a start-up model, operating independently of the Group’s existing businesses, funded in a venture capital fashion, and under a different Governance and Risk Management Framework. Responsible for leading priority business initiatives, supporting incubators and founders to launch new businesses, overseeing First Line enterprise risk management and assurance activity and ensuring effective Governance standards across the portfolio. This involved: leading and supporting a range of strategic initiatives, including programme management of such initiatives; overseeing the First Line risk management and assurance Framework and related activity; supporting the development and implementation of policies and procedures; working with subject matter experts to enhance the risk and control environment; managing the subsidiary governance framework; until such time as new Ventures perform such activity themselves: (1) identifying, assessing, monitoring and escalating risks and issues arising within Ventures;(2) owning and designing processes, controls and standards for adhering to Risk Type Frameworks and policies, working with the individual venture teams; (3) validating and self-assessing compliance to Risk Type Frameworks and policies

Asia Pacific

Qualified lawyer and subject matter expert specialising in business strategy, corporate & risk governance, regulatory change and business transformations with a focus on corporate restructures, efficiency programmes, acquisitions/divestments (M&A) and post-merger integrations.My clients include SC Ventures (fintech), Standard Chartered and Techcombank (banking), Bridge (private equity) and PwC (management consulting) in South East Asia, including Vietnam, Singapore and Philippines.

Singapore

Board member and executive responsible for overseeing the operations of a private equity and consulting firm with a focus on building better banks in emerging markets.Bridge was launched in 2013 with USD24 million in funding from microfinance investment vehicles such as Accion and Bamboo Finance and several national development banks including the German DEG and Dutch FMO. Bridge's current portfolio includes interests in three Philippine Thrift /Savings Banks.

Singapore & Hong Kong

Responsible for leading or supporting globally significant strategic initiatives (e.g. business efficiency, global reorganisation, regulatory remediation, regulatory change, new markets, new business, acquisitions, divestments) and maintaining effective governance standards across Asia (with a specific focus on Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei & Australia). This involved: working with business unit and function heads to deliver Group-led initiatives; dealing with Board level issues; providing internal consulting services to business/functions; delivering change management & business transformation programmes, enhancing corporate governance, risk and control structures globally; working with Regional CEOs and Country CEOs to address key risks, regulatory issues and operational challenges in Asia; conducting quarterly country reviews with Country CEOs covering strategy, financial performance, regulatory relations, governance, customer franchise development and people; collaborating with CEOs and Group Strategy to develop and refine country strategy; and chairing or participating in various steering committees and working groups (e.g. Conduct, Financial Crime Risk Mitigation, etc).

Hong Kong

Responsible for the integration of Gryphon Partners, a boutique corporate advisory firm, and supporting the Mining & Metals M&A Advisory business. This involved: participating in acquisition due diligence and contract negotiations; serving as the business lead and providing overall project leadership; programme management of the post-merger integration including managing an integration team of over 30 people; securing internal approvals and developing the post-closing holding structure; overseeing integration budget; overseeing all integration activities across relevant business units (Corporate and Institutional & Corporate Finance) and support functions; embedding internal policies and controls; supervising the on-boarding and off-boarding of clients (from both a KYC and sustainability perspective); supporting the BAU business in a COO capacity.

Hong Kong

Responsible for supporting the Group Head of Wholesale Banking Asia and later the Global COO Wholesale Banking on a range of business initiatives in Asia. This involved: working with relevant client segments and products (Corporate and Institutional, Financial Institutions, Global Corporates, Transaction Banking, Financial Markets & Corporate Finance) to develop and refine business strategy; resolving business issues; preparing papers to senior management committees and thought leadership papers to key external stakeholders (e.g. regulators); and acting as secretary to Group Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) Board and Group Equities Steering Committee.

Greater New York City Area

Responsible for leading the transition service negotiations pre-acquisition and managing the day-to-day relationship with American Express Co (AEC) following the acquisition of American Express Bank. This involved: working closely with relevant business (Corporate and Institutional, Global Corporates, Financial Institutions, Transaction Banking, Financial Markets, Consumer Banking & Private Banking) and functional leads to define and oversee transition service arrangements during the integration; developing a strong working relationship with the AEC Programme Director and ensuring that significant integration issues were escalated and addressed in a timely manner.

London, United Kingdom

Responsible for supporting the Board Director with responsibility for several global support functions (i.e. Legal, Compliance, Real Estate, Human Resources, Operational Risk, Corporate Secretariat, Audit and Research) and the Group's global efficiency initiative (Outserve Plus) on matters relevant to his portfolio during a period of significant growth and regulatory change. This involved: working closely with various Group Heads of Department and other senior executives on a wide spectrum of Board and Group Management Team issues (ranging from regulatory matters to real estate strategy); attending various meetings on behalf of the Board Director; and preparing papers to various senior management committees (e.g. PLC Board and Group Management Team).

Hong Kong & South Korea

Responsible for managing the integration activities for Wholesale Banking following the acquisition of Korea First Bank and providing transactional legal support to Wholesale Banking in North East Asia, including Structured Finance, Global Markets, Project Finance, Corporate Advisory, Securitisation, Security Services, Loan Trading, Syndications and Structured Trade Finance. This involved: acting as lead integration counsel during the integration of Korea First Bank; managing a team of 4 people; and providing legal advice to various departments.

Sydney, Australia

Banking Lawyer

Sydney, Australia

Corporate M&A and Banking Lawyer

Bachelor Of Commerce (Bcom)

Bachelor Of Laws (Llb)

Education record

Education record

Education record