SMBC Continues Growth With New Human Resources, Strategy & Transformation Appointments

SMBC, a member of SMBC Group, announced today the appointment of Robin Milberg as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Paul Sweeney as Head of Strategy & Transformation. Both report to the SMBC Group in the Americas Chief Operating Officer, Debbie Freer.

“Our company is growing exponentially and having the best leadership is critical. Both Robin and Paul bring decades of experience to their new roles, having finely honed their skills within their respective areas of expertise,” COO Freer said.

“Our promise is that we will learn our client’s unique business needs. This hands-on, relationship-based approach differentiates us, but is also predicated on a skilled and engaged workforce following and building upon a common strategy. Robin understands the need for a diverse and inclusive workplace to best serve both our clients and employees. Paul’s approach to strategy and transformation epitomizes a comprehensive and effective approach focused on execution,” added Freer.

Robin joined SMBC in September 2015 and is a seasoned HR executive who brings deep experience within financial services. As CHRO, Robin is responsible for developing and implementing the overall HR strategy for the Americas, including the full life cycle of the employee experience and ensuring the supporting HR technology, data, and operations are effective and efficient. She acutely understands the need for her team to partner with the business and use their expertise to support growth within the organization.

Most recently, Robin was Managing Director and Head of HR for SMBC, where she led the daily operations of the HR team. She oversaw significant organizational change and executive level hiring, and led the team charged with developing new HR policies and processes to meet increasing industry regulatory requirements.

Prior to SMBC, Robin was with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in its Corporate and Institutional Banking division for eight years, where she gained a deep understanding of HR’s role as a business partner with specific and necessary skills. She held positions of increasing responsibility, including Managing Director and Senior HR Business Partner for Markets, in the company’s London, England and Stamford, Connecticut offices. Before RBS, Robin worked for General Electric, Inc. for 10 years in various HR roles.

Robin earned her Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Connecticut.

Paul joined the company in September 2019 as the lead transformation program manager responsible for securing cost reduction and enabling improved profitability and scalability while enhancing internal controls. Since December 2021, he has also served as the Head of the Americas Division Corporate Services Group, inclusive of Corporate Real Estate & Facilities, Operational Resilience, and Procurement. In this role, he led this group’s transformation through the identification and delivery of functional enhancements that support SMBC’s business strategy.

In addition to his oversight of Corporate Services, Paul was appointed Head of Strategy & Transformation, where he will be accountable for the strategic transformation of the organization in the Americas to align with U.S. regulatory requirements, including combined U.S. operations and bank holding company structuring.

Before SMBC, Paul spent 14 years at JPMorgan Chase Asset Management, where he most recently led the transformation of its design, delivery, and maintenance of financial management information systems with a focus on controls, operational leverage, streamlined processes, and data quality. He also served as CFO of JPMorgan Chase Asset Management’s Global Investment Management Operations, where he developed strategic goals for the organization and established, tracked, and reported on financial targets aligned with those goals.

Paul earned an MBA from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Providence College.

About SMBC Group

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 140 offices and 86,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. As of June 30, 2022, its total assets were $1.97 trillion.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada, Ltd., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit www.smbcgroup.com.

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