Asian Banking & Finance and Insurance Asia Summit - Vietnam - May 13, 2025

Alexandra Smith was appointed as British Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City and Trade Director for Vietnam in July 2024. 

Ahead of taking up her appointment, Alex was the UK’s first Trade and Economic Counsellor to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta. Prior to her time in Jakarta, Alex led the UK’s trade negotiations with the EEA EFTA States – Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway. Before that, she supported the policy and creation of the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority. 

She studied Classics at Newcastle University before joining the Civil Service in 2015.

Mr. Santhosh Mahendiran is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Techcombank, with over 20 years of experience in the banking and finance sector with a strong focus on data, analytics and digital. He leads the bank’s data strategy, focusing on advanced analytics, machine learning, and data partnerships. Previously, he was Managing Director at Standard Chartered Bank, overseeing digital transformation and Enterprise Data Management. Mr. Santhosh also held senior roles at Citibank, where he developed innovative data solutions, including the world’s first touchscreen paperless onboarding system in Japan. Mr. Santhosh holds master's degrees in Computer Applications and Software Engineering.

Khanh Ngo is a Vietnamese Canadian senior executive with over 14 years of experience in strategy, sales & marketing, business planning, and operations across the tech, banking, and consulting industries. His career spans multiple geographies, including Canada, the US, the UK, and APAC.

He is currently the CEO of Liobank by OCB, one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing digital banks, serving over half a million customers daily. Prior to this, he was a strategy leader at TikTok, where he played a key role in scaling several markets from hundreds of millions to multi-billion-dollar annual run rates in Canada and SEA markets. In addition to his corporate leadership, Khanh is a Venture Capitalist in Residence with a regional fund based in Singapore, advising and investing in high-growth startups.

Khanh holds an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg, an MSc in Finance from Boston College, and a BSc in Philosophy and Finance from Babson College.

Andy is the CFO at ZaloPay, Vietnam's fastest growing fintech player. At ZaloPay, he's responsible for finance, operations, strategic planning and strategic partnerships for both financial and non-financial institutions. Previously, he served as the Investment Director at VNG.

Phuc is a seasoned management consultant with over 20 years of experience in Vietnam and the Netherlands. As a Partner at KPMG in Vietnam, he leads the Customer & Operations practice, guiding clients across diverse industries towards business transformation and operational excellence. Phuc's expertise spans various domains, including program management, supply chain management, process improvement, cost optimization, strategy facilitation, and operating model design. His proven track record reflects success in helping clients achieve significant business improvements. Phuc holds a Master's degree in Economics with a major in Logistics Management from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. He is also a Certified Supply Chain Professional (APICS), demonstrating his deep understanding of the field and commitment to professional excellence.

Parinya Charoensriset is a seasoned IT and cybersecurity professional with over 25 years of experience across Southeast Asia. As Regional Manager at Thales, he leads digital identity and security initiatives across Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. He specializes in helping financial institutions strengthen authentication, fraud prevention, and compliance with regulatory frameworks like GDPR, PDPA, and PSD2. Parinya is a trusted advisor to banks and enterprises looking to drive secure digital transformation in the region.

Ms. Lien is currently CMO cum Director of CX and AI Training of VinBigdata. In 2020, she joined VinBigdata, developing a strategy to promote VinBigdata's brand in the high-tech sector in Vietnam, developing product marketing activities, and managing customer experience. Highlighted campaigns are the launch of ViGPT - the first Vietnamese version of 'ChatGPT' for end users, the virtual assistant ViVi 2.0, ViFi - Comprehensive GenAI Solution Suite for BFSI Sector, the completion of a project to sequence 1000 Vietnamese genomes, the launch of a genetic testing service for Vietnamese people, GeneStory, etc.

Obtaining a Master degree in Marketing Management from University of West of England, Ms. Lien has more than 10 years of experience working in key positions at leading technology corporations in Vietnam. With extensive knowledge in Marketing and Technology, before joining VinBigdata, she had participated in pioneering technology projects, contributing to the development of Artificial Intelligence and Technology community in Vietnam.

Michal Skalicky has served as Chief Customer Officer of Home Credit Vietnam since
August 2021. With 20 years of expertise in digital transformation, business growth,
e‑commerce, product development and agile ways of working, he drives innovation and
growth.

Starting his career at ING, then Michal became Sales Director for Direct Distribution
Czech Republic/Slovakia. In 2014, he joined NN Hellas as a Direct Distribution Manager
in Greece before relocating to Spain, where he as deputy General Manager held
positions as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Transformation Officer in leading
insurance provider Nationale-Nederlanden.

Michal holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School in Madrid and a Master of
Finance from Prague University of Economics and Business.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Son has been appointed as Country President of Chubb Life Vietnam since December 2021. He is responsible for Chubb Life’s business operation in Vietnam. With a wealth of experience, in life insurance coupled with his financial and business acumen, Mr. Nguyen Hong Son commits to leading Chubb Life Vietnam’s business to the next level.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Son is now leading Chubb Life Vietnam’s transformation in distribution channels, business digitalization, and customer-centric solutions to meet the changing demands of Vietnamese customers. 

He has over 20 years of experience with Chubb Life, including over 15 years as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Country President of Chubb Life Vietnam. He also served as the Country President of Chubb Life Myanmar for more than 2 years before being appointed as the Country President of Chubb Life Vietnam in 2021. 

Prior to Chubb Life, Mr. Nguyen Hong Son had over 11 years of experience in finance and held important roles at well-known international organizations, such as KPMG and Cargill. 

Mr. Nguyen Hong Son holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Economic University of Ho Chi Minh City and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is currently a Fellow Members of Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) Australia.

Mr. TO Ba Lam is currently Head of Digital Division, Nam A Bank where he leads digital financial product strategy, ecosystem integration, and customer-centric innovation. Prior to joining Nam A Bank, he worked at Payoo e-wallet, where he contributed to the development of digital payment solutions. With more than a decade of experience in technology and financial services, he focuses on transforming legacy systems to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth and deliver sustainable customer value.

He holds a PhD in Information Technology from Sorbonne University (France) and an EMBA from Université du Québec à Montréal (Canada).

Phil Wright is Chief Operating Officer at HSBC Vietnam where he is responsible for operations, technology, and corporate services.

Prior to Vietnam, he held regional and country roles for HSBC in Hong Kong, Philippines, Mauritius, and New York.

He holds an MBA from University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Ms. Phạm Châu Loan is a representative from Digital Channel and Partnership Development Department of Vietcombank where she contributes to the development of digital channels, digital payments solutions and digital ecosystem of the bank. With nearly 20 years of experience in banking industry, she has participated in the implementation of key digital projects of the bank such as Core Banking Project, Payment and Cash Management Project, Digital Banking Transformation Project, Transformation Action Plan Project.

In addition to winning & serving clients as Audit Partner, Thao is taking roles of Audit Learning and Talent Management, taking care of developing, retaining and efficient usage of talents; planning and conducting trainings, best-practice sharing for professionals within and outside of the country, as well as for clients and professional bodies.

Thao joined Deloitte as an audit intern. His journey with the Firm includes the secondment to USA under Global Development Program (GDP) 2008-2010. He is serving local, listed and MNCs with audit and other advisory services, mainly in Insurance, Real Estate, Manufacturing, TMT, Healthcare with local and international GAAPs.

In his tenure with Deloitte, Thao earned:

• ACCA (UK, Fellow), 
• US CPA (US, Affiliate), 
• Vietnam CPA (VN, Member), and 
• MBA with University of Hawaii

Sylvester has been with Standard Chartered Bank for over 20 years, working and leading teams in multiple markets in ASEAN and East Africa. He is a seasoned transaction banker with experience in product management, solutioning and implementation. 

In his current role, Sylvester is responsible for leading and delivering the strategic growth and development of Transaction Banking products for corporates and financial institutions in Vietnam. He is also responsible for delivering end-to-end product objectives for Trade Lending and Supply Chain Finance across the region, including financial and non-financial performance, enhancement of capabilities, product and client access future strategies, and oversight on risk and governance. He is passionate about creating client-centric solutions that drive commerce and financial inclusion. 

Sylvester holds an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool. 

He is currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.