Bank of America Merrill Lynch appointed Carole Berndt regional treasury executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa on March 8 following the bank's recent hire of Ivo Distelbrink in a parallel role in Asia. The appointment is part of an international expansion plan at the American institution that includes the development and implementation of an integrated treasury offering. Berndt will play a leading role in delivering an integrated global corporate banking plan in conjunction with her colleagues in other businesses at the bank.
London-based Berndt reports to Joel van Dusen, deputy head of global corporate banking at BofA Merrill, and works with Distelbrink. She joined the bank from Citi where she worked for nine years, most recently as global head of client delivery in Hong Kong and New York.
Following China Newtown Development's appointment of Chun Pang Ng as financial controller earlier this month, the company appointed Yi Qing Song chief financial officer on March 8. She replaced Wai Ho Cheng who resigned from the company the same day. Song's executive duties include financial planning and management for China Newtown Development. In addition to seven years of international accounting experience, she holds masters degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the College of William and Mary and a bachelors degree from the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade.
Philippines online-gaming giant IP e-Games Venture appointed its former vice-president of operations Miguel Ramon Tomas B. Ladios treasurer and CFO on March 5, replacing Michael Eric I. Samiento. Ladios rejoins IP e-Games after working as CFO of Gurango Software for two years. He originally joined the online-gaming company in November 2005. Ladios holds a bachelors degree in accounting from Letran College, Philippines.
Sook Fun Yip replaced retiring How Boon Lim as CFO of Leeden, a Singapore-based welding, gas and safety specialist company, on March 8. She is responsible for the full spectrum of financial operations including treasury, budgeting, internal control, risk management and strategic planning. Lim remains on Leeden's board of directors but will step down from this position as well after the company's next annual general meeting.
Vietnam-based agriculture company National Seed promoted Ly Ngoc Pham to deputy CEO from chief accountant on March 1. Following the promotion, Ty The Phan replaced him as temporary head of finance and accounting and Thi Nhu Quynh Nguyen filled his vacancy as deputy manager of finance and accounting.
Switzerland-based Zurich Financial Services Group appointed Pascal Perritaz Asia-Pacific and Middle East CFO effective April 1. He will replace Iain Howie who will become CFO of Zurich Australia. Zurich-based Perritaz will report to Geoff Riddell, Zurich's Asia-Pacific and Middle East CEO, and will be responsible for coordinating and managing all financial aspects of Zurich's operations in the two regions.
Perritaz has been at Zurich for 14 years, most recently as group operations manager at the company's corporate centre. He holds a masters degree from the University of Fribourg and graduated from Harvard Business School's programme for leadership development in 2009.
