Sakunthala (Saku) Jayanetti
Discovery Bay, Hongkong
Summary
Results-driven people leader with over 25 years of experience in strategic business partnering, people advisory, employee relations, risk management, and operations across country, regional, and global levels. A trusted advisor to senior leadership and teams across geographies on complex people matters during mergers, acquisitions, business change, and transformation. Known for high level of integrity, agility, resilience, strong work ethic and operational excellence. Proven track record of developing best-in-class teams driving high performance and pioneering projects that improve overall organizational effectiveness. Confident and able to navigate through complex regulatory landscapes and matrix structures, and appreciated by stakeholders at different levels for tenacity and strong interpersonal skills
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Personal Conduct & Investigations for Asia Pacific
HSBC
08.2019 - Current
- Lead a Specialized Investigation Unit (SIU), pioneered a strategic project in Asia on behalf of the Group in 2023 handling complex and investigations with highest people risk to the organization
- Drive the Personal Conduct and Investigations agenda across Asia Pacific (ASP) and accountable to deliver a fair, consistent and a transparent approach to people related investigations in 18+ countries in Asia
- Strategic insight and leadership to Regional investigation leads and investigators across jurisdictions on complex investigations and subject matter expertise for the Group transformation project team
- Steer triaging of escalations, strategically influencing the best route for resolution and front conversations with senior leaders in driving the conduct agenda forward
- Perform the role of Regional HR Whistle blowing Lead for investigations on people risk, representing countries in Asia, acting as the champion for the confidential process in the Bank where employees in the Bank could raise conduct concerns and be the main interface with the Whistle blowing oversight Team of the Bank's Confidential channel
- Member of the ASP Regional Whistle blowing oversight committee, identifying key risks for the Bank representing as a Risk steward for people related risks alongside senior leaders from other Investigation functions such as Compliance and Financial Crime
- Responsible for training and developing of HR investigators to be the best in class investigative function and sharing best practices at a Global scale across jurisdictions
- Lead complex investigations which exposes the Bank to reputational and regulatory risks, addressing high risk conduct concerns of employees
Global Short Term Assignment (STA)
Global - ER Center of Expertise (ER COE)
04.2024 - 08.2024
- ER advisory on people matters (both investigations and policy) at a global scale to geographically diverse teams
- Oversight on control monitoring on Investigations and review of the enterprise level controls for the Group
- Strategic leadership to global projects linked to Investigations and change in governance
- COE representative for transformation project that empowered and simplified management action in driving the conduct agenda
Head of Human Resources
HSBC
08.2014 - 07.2019
- Member of the Executive Committee in country as part of the leadership team and accountable for the Board of Directors of the entity
- Lead the HR Function for HSBC Mauritius and provide HR Strategic advice to Mauritius Leadership team in implementing the People Agenda locally
- Be an active contributor in areas of focus for the country- business growth, organizational change and embedding the conduct agenda, achieved by developing strong capability in managing financial crime challenges and meet regulatory expectations
Senior HR Relationship Manager, Retail Banking for Asia Pacific
HSBC
04.2011 - 07.2014
- Responsible for providing HR strategic advice to Regional retail banking teams in Asia supporting 20 countries
- Guide and support regional heads and country HR teams in implementing the People Agenda in the business including talent acquisition, retention and development of future skills
- Achieve key deliverables of Business by providing consultancy support to Business leadership in the areas such as re-structuring and re-engineering of processes to achieve organizational effectiveness
HR Relationship Manager, Personal Financial Services
HSBC
09.2009 - 04.2011
- Responsible for providing HR strategic advice to Retail Banking teams in Sri Lanka and the Maldives
- Support the business in areas such as capacity planning, capability development, retention of talent, etc
- Achieve key deliverables of Business by providing consultancy support to Business leadership in the areas such as re-structuring and re-engineering of processes to achieve organizational effectiveness
Manager HR Service Centre for Srilanka and HR Relationship Manager for Maldives Branch
HSBC
12.2007 - 09.2009
- Responsible for all service delivery aspect of HR operations with the key focus being the HR transformation
- Support the Maldives business in areas such as capacity planning, capability development, retention of talent, etc
Recruitment and Resourcing Officer, and promoted to Assistant Manager
HSBC
09.2004 - 12.2007
- Responsible for Recruitment and Resourcing for HSBC Sri Lanka and work with the Business and Functions to meet the resourcing requirements, ensuring we have the right people with required capabilities in the organisation
Banking Assistant
HSBC
02.1999 - 09.2004
- Cover all functions of a retail branch network in HSBC Sri Lanka
- 2 ½ years secondment in the HSBC Maldives Branch, part of the team setting up the first branch in the Maldives
Education
MBA International -
Edith Cowan University
Australia (affiliated University In Srilanka)12.2010
Certificate course in Human Resources Management - undefined
Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka
01.2005
Intermediate Examination -
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka
01.2001
Higher Diploma in Computer Software Engineering - undefined
London Business School
01.1997
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- People Advocacy
- Execution excellence
- Business transformation
- Coaching proficiency
- Dispute management
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Project management
Languages
English
Sinhalese
Timeline
Global Short Term Assignment (STA)
Global - ER Center of Expertise (ER COE)
04.2024 - 08.2024
Head of Personal Conduct & Investigations for Asia Pacific
HSBC
08.2019 - Current
Head of Human Resources
HSBC
08.2014 - 07.2019
Senior HR Relationship Manager, Retail Banking for Asia Pacific
HSBC
04.2011 - 07.2014
HR Relationship Manager, Personal Financial Services
HSBC
09.2009 - 04.2011
Manager HR Service Centre for Srilanka and HR Relationship Manager for Maldives Branch
HSBC
12.2007 - 09.2009
Recruitment and Resourcing Officer, and promoted to Assistant Manager
HSBC
09.2004 - 12.2007
Banking Assistant
HSBC
02.1999 - 09.2004
Certificate course in Human Resources Management - undefined
Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka
Higher Diploma in Computer Software Engineering - undefined
London Business School
MBA International -
Edith Cowan University
Intermediate Examination -
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka
International Exposure
- Hong Kong - Regional role
- United Kingdom - Global role based in Hongkong
- Mauritius - Country role
- Maldives - Country role
- Sri Lanka - Country role
Hobbies and Interests
- Aspiring female Board member and trained as part of the talent pool 2023-2024
- Partnership with an NGO to upskill females supporting them with tools to increase employability
- Travelling and engage in activities to support families in rural areas
- Ice skating and Hiking at leisure
International Exposure
- Hong Kong - Regional role
- United Kingdom - Global role based in Hongkong
- Mauritius - Country role
- Maldives - Country role
- Sri Lanka - Country role
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