Media releases
Westpac Institutional Bank Establishes Asia Advisory Board and Appoints Hwee Hua Lim as its First Non-Executive Member
14 November 2013
Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB) has today announced the creation of an Asia Advisory Board and appointed former Singaporean Minister and financial services expert, Hwee Hua Lim as its first non-executive member.
Appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2009, Ms Lim served as Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport and was the first female Minister of Singapore’s Cabinet. During her time in government, she was instrumental in implementing leading reforms across the accounting sector, addressing capital and growth needs of the small and medium enterprises.
Prior to pursuing a political career, Ms Lim had a varied and successful career in financial services. In 1989, she joined Swiss Bank Corporation as an investment analyst and in 1992 joined Jardine Fleming, where she served as Head of Research and Director of Business Development. In 2000, she joined Temasek Holdings as Managing Director of Corporate Stewardship and later as Managing Director of Strategic Relations.
WIB Chief Executive and Asia Advisory Board Chairman, Rob Whitfield said “We are delighted to have a person of Ms Lim’s experience providing guidance and support for Westpac’s strategy in Asia.”
“The purpose of the Asia Advisory Board is to provide insights and leadership as we continue to strengthen our customer led strategy in the region.”
“Ms Lim’s broad experience and deep regional knowledge will be invaluable to Westpac as we continue to shape our understanding and build key regional relationships,” he said.
The creation of an Asia Advisory Board further reflects Westpac’s considered and deliberate strategy in Asia and will advise management on its strategies and initiatives to continue to strengthen the businesses current positioning in Asia.
The Advisory Board will comprise of three non-executive members as well as Bala Swaminathan, General Manager, Asia and Rob Whitfield, Chief Executive of Westpac Institutional Bank.
Westpac has been operating in Asia for 40 year delivering a broad range of financial services to individuals, corporate and institutional customers with branches in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mumbai as well as a representative office in Jakarta.