Datuk Yvonne Chia is one of ASEAN’s foremost corporate figures, widely respected for her role in mentoring and spearheading strategic initiatives that drive regional development. With over four decades of leadership in the banking sector, she has expertly steered institutions through both periods of economic growth and crisis. Datuk Yvonne is especially recognised for her expertise in leading complex mergers and acquisitions (M&As), leaving an indelible mark on Malaysia’s banking landscape.
Throughout her career, she has cultivated deep goodwill with a diverse range of stakeholders, including union leaders, government bodies, regulators, shareholders, and communities. Her foundation in banking was established during her tenure at Bank of America (1976–1994), where she spent 15 years honing her skills in credit, project finance, liability management, and business creation. This strong foundation enabled her to become a highly effective strategist, skilled at forging influential relationships and navigating the intricacies of both corporate and governmental environments. Her visionary leadership allows her to identify emerging trends across industries and influence policy and decisionmakers.
As Group Managing Director and CEO of RHB Banking Group (1994–2002), and later as Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Bank (2003–2013), she played a pivotal role in expanding these institutions, which now collectively represent nearly 20% of Malaysia’s banking assets.
Her leadership transcends the banking sector. She has served as a Trustee for the Merdeka Award Trust, honouring Malaysians for outstanding contributions to the nation. From 2020–2023, she also chaired Cradle Fund, under the Ministry of Finance, where she helped identify and support startups with global potential, fostering a new generation of disruptors shaping the future through technology and social innovation.
Currently, she serves as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, Standard Chartered Saadiq, and Press Metal Holdings Berhad, and she sits on the board of Silverlake Axis Ltd., a technology company listed on the Singapore Exchange. She also previously served as Senior Lead Director of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad for a decade.
A passionate advocate of lifelong learning, she is a council member of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, where she actively contributes to education and development for the future of banking in the digital world. She notably is the Project Mentor for the Future Skills Framework for the financial services sector. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham School of Economics, where she champions ESG principles and women in banking initiatives.
Recognised as a game-changer, Datuk Yvonne consistently drives strategic initiatives that deliver long-term value. Her thought leadership on banking, governance, ESG, transition finance, and the future of work has made her a sought-after speaker and curator at regional conferences. She continues to mentor the next generation of leaders in the financial services industry.
Fluent in English, Malay, and Hokkien with basic Mandarin, she is an economics graduate from the University of Malaya, a Fellow Chartered Banker, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals. As well an award-winning banker and in recognition of her contributions to Malaysia’s financial sector, she was awarded the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah title in 2012, by the King of Malaysia which carries the honorific "Datuk".
