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United Overseas Bank (UOB) is making several senior leadership changes. From September 1, Susan Hwee, head of group technology and operations (GTO) will assume the role of head of group retail, taking over from Eddie Khoo.
Khoo (pictured left) is retiring from his role, but will still take on the position of senior adviser to United Overseas Bank (UOB) Vietnam.
To replace Hwee (pictured middle), UOB has promoted Singapore-based Lawrence Goh (pictured right) is promoted head of GTO and will commence the role on the same day as September 1, according to a UOB press release.
UOB is a leading bank in Asia, headquartered in Singapore with subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The global bank has 500 offices in 19 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.
Hwee has more than 35 years of experience in the technology and banking industry. Having joined UOB in 2001, Hwee leads the bank’s global strategy for technology, operations and information security in her present role as head of GTO.
According to the release, Hwee is “instrumental in the development and innovation” of UOB’s digital platform, UOB TMRW, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to push digital acquisition and customer engagement.
Hwee’s promotion will see her spearhead plans to strengthen the bank’s digital operations and product solutions while increasing customer engagement and connection to Asean opportunities, the release said. Hwee will also help integrate AI and push digital acquisition across UOB’s customer base.
Goh will succeed Hwee as head of GTO after more than three decades of IT experience spread across positions in corporate and consultancy roles. Goh began his professional life at a global advisory firm, having held positions of leadership in strategy and transformation, infrastructure consulting and security.
Goh currently manages the day-to-day operation and strategic planning of UOB’s infrastructure and platform services across the bank’s international network as chief operating officer for GTO and head of group infrastructure platform services.
Responsible for progressing UOB’s technology strategy, Goh has been “instrumental in shaping the bank’s technological investment and transformation”, according to the release, having established UOB’s first Test Centre of Excellence in 2018 to enhance the bank’s testing quality, automation and consistency.
The aim of Goh’s new role is to push innovation and technology integration to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience, the release said
Khoo is to become senior advisor to UOB Vietnam after retiring as head of group retail. Khoo joined UOB in 2005 and has been “pivotal in growing UOB’s group retail business to the strong regional franchise the bank has today”, the release said.
UOB Vietnam has been integrating Citigroup’s consumer banking businesses following its full integration of Citi's consumer banking businesses into UOB Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, after UOB’s acquisition of several of Citigroup’s businesses in 2022.
Khoo intends to apply his experience to support UOB’s management team to drive the bank’s retail strategy in Vietnam, with UOB Vietnam “imperative” to strengthening the bank’s regional franchise.
“This management refresh is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen UOB’s capabilities to serve our enlarged customer base across the region,” commented Ee Cheong Wee, deputy chairman and chief executive officer of UOB, in the release.
Wee added: “With rapid digitalisation in our key markets, Susan’s experience is crucial to drive digital engagement strategies and uplift customer experience. Lawrence, as a seasoned IT leader, will continue to drive innovation and lead our technology transformation in our new phase of growth. Eddie has made invaluable contributions to our retail banking business. In his new role, he will continue to support our team to realise the potential of our retail franchise in Vietnam.”
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