Organizational Dynamics and the Role of the Chief Operating Officer

Synopsis

The “Org Chart” is not only one of the first things a new employee becomes acquainted with in the corporate workplace but what it represents -- organizational dynamics -- requires knowledge, skill and agility to successfully navigate through every stage of a person’s career. Yet, this all-important factor remains a ‘learn on the job’ topic for most of those destined for corporate life.

This seminar will offer, through the lens of a Chief Operating Officer role in the asset management industry, some observations and tips on organizational success in today’s business environment.

About the Speaker

Currently, James Baker is the principal of 55 Water, Pte. Ltd. which offers independent directorship and consulting services to financial firms. He has 30 years of financial services experience, 14 of those pertaining to asset management. He has lived and worked in Asia for over 23 years.

Prior to his current role, James was with Eastspring Investments, Singapore, Ltd. the Asian-focused multi-strategy asset management subsidiary of Prudential Insurance UK. At Eastspring, James was COO-Investments from 2010-14 and from 2015-17, the Program Director for the TOM (“Target Operating Model”) program. Prior to that role, he was Head of Prime Brokerage Client Service for Merrill Lynch HK, Ltd., from 2002-09.

James began his career as an Operations Manager with Morgan Stanley and has also held positions with Bear Stearns Asia, Ltd. (Hong Kong), Nasdaq Japan and Chi-X Singapore.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, majoring in Asian Studies, a Master of International Management degree from The American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird campus and studied at Nanjing University, People’s Republic of China.