Thomas Smith
About Thomas Smith
Thomas Smith serves as the Director of Risk Management - Policy and Governance at HSBC, where he has worked since 2012. He has restructured the risk oversight function and collaborates with various risk stewards to ensure compliance with credit risk policies.
Current Role at HSBC
Thomas Smith serves as the Director of Risk Management - Policy and Governance at HSBC, a position he has held since 2012. Based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, he has spent 12 years in this role. His responsibilities include overseeing the design and implementation of the Risk Appetite Statement and Profile, which aligns with the bank's portfolio growth and profitability objectives. He also manages monthly executive-level Risk Management Committee meetings, collaborating with Risk Owners and Risk Stewards to maintain a comprehensive view of HSBC's risks.
Risk Oversight Function Redesign
In his current role, Thomas Smith redesigned the risk oversight function at HSBC. He established a control testing and review function that is accountable for assessing adherence to both global and local credit risk policies. This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of risk management processes within the organization.
Education and Professional Development
Thomas Smith completed his secondary education at St Laurence High School, achieving a diploma from 1975 to 1979. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at DePaul University, studying from 1979 to 1983. Additionally, he earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2011 and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in 2010, further enhancing his project management skills.
Previous Experience
Before joining HSBC, Thomas Smith worked as the Managing Director at Focus Strategic Marketing from 2009 to 2012. He also held the position of Systems Change Consultant at CNA Insurance from 1980 to 1983. His diverse background in risk management and consulting has contributed to his expertise in overseeing risk policies and governance.
Contributions to Credit Risk Policy
Thomas Smith has played a significant role in simplifying HSBC's credit risk policy. His efforts focused on minimizing jargon and providing clear guidance for business implementation, which aids in better understanding and adherence to risk management practices across the organization.