Societe Generale Securities Services strengthens its presence in the UK with two strategic appointments

Societe Generale Securities Services (SGSS) has made two strategic appointments to strengthen its presence in the UK as part of its ambitious development strategy to provide clients with a complete and competitive offering throughout Europe.

Bertrand Blanchard becomes SGSS’ Country Manager in the United Kingdom. Previously Managing Director of Societe Generale’s Johannesburg branch and Country Manager for SGSS in South Africa, he will be responsible for leading SGSS’ business development strategy in the UK, where it is actively investing in its business. Based in London, Bertrand Blanchard reports directly to Bruno Prigent, Global Head of SGSS.

Guillaume Lenoir has been appointed Chief of Strategic Initiatives Implementation. He joins SGSS from EuroCCP Ltd and has significant experience in strategic change programmes and projects. Reporting to Bertrand Blanchard and based in London, he will be responsible for implementing SGSS’ development initiatives in the UK.

These appointments come in addition to those previously announced regarding Jason Nabi, Head of Financial Institutions & Brokers for the UK and Michael Le Garignon, Head of Sales, Business Development & Relationship Management for the UK.

Backed by strong client interest for efficient outsourcing solutions and as a major component in SGSS’ overall development strategy, SGSS will be delivering a range of integrated client solutions in the UK over the next few months. These solutions are aimed at:

Brokers, banks and financial institutions, based on execution-to-custody services and extending to full middle-office;

Wealth fund managers, providing a wealth and investment management outsourcing solution, spanning the full post-trade value-chain from global execution to global custody.

“Bertrand and Guillaume are joining SGSS’ team in the UK at an important time” said Bruno Prigent, Global Head of SGSS. “SGSS plans to be a key partner to its clients, providing them with operational efficiencies as well as significant new business opportunities as the industry continues to evolve in response to regulatory and structural changes. These key appointments will further strengthen SGSS’ presence in the UK and its ability to accompany clients in their growth and development in this market, where SGSS already provides products and services to a client base of institutional investors, asset managers, insurance companies and alternative investment managers.”

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Bertrand Blanchard

Bertrand Blanchard began his career at BFCE (now Natexis) as a business analyst for the Financial Markets Department in 1993. He then moved to Dexia France in 1996 to take over a team within the Back-Office of the Market Department. Two years later, he joined KPMG Peat Marwick (now CSC) and became Senior Manager, in charge of a team of consultants within the Investment Banking and Capital Market practices.

Bertrand joined Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking in 2003 as Information Systems & Process Manager. The following year, he joined SGSS as Vice President for Strategy and Development where he was involved in several acquisitions contributing to SGSS’ European expansion. In 2008, Bertrand was appointed Country Manager for SGSS in South Africa and Managing Director of Societe Generale’s Johannesburg branch.

Bertrand Blanchard is a graduate of the Reims Business Management School (RMS) in France.

Guillaume Lenoir

Prior to joining SGSS, Guillaume Lenoir worked 6 years for EuroCCP Ltd where he served as the Chief Technology Officer and Head of Product & Change Management. He was instrumental in the launch of CCP interoperability in January 2012 and the successful merger of EuroCCP with EMCF in 2013/14. Previously, he was deputy to the Global Head of Change Management for Equities Finance at Deutsche Bank London. He also has 10 years experience acquired with the Management consultancy firm Accenture, where he was responsible for delivering a wide range of strategic change programmes/projects for Investment Banks and Market Infrastructures.

Guillaume has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Génie Electrique in France and an MBA from the IAE-Sorbonne University.