Cato Soegnen

Results-driven Transformation Leader with 20+ years of experience driving merger and acquisitions, business and digital transformation, and programme management for global enterprises (Shell, Symantec, Vodafone). Adept at leading cross-cultural and geographically disperse teams.

• Integration & Transformation Expertise: He has a proven track record of designing and executing complex large-scale transformation initiatives. He has background in both “big-bang” and phased transitions. With him he brings a deep understanding of the complexities associated with transforming, transitioning, and integrating processes and services, organizations and people, and technologies against a complex backdrop.
  • At Clarion Events he developed the transformation methodology, created and implemented the Asian Integration Program which delivered 10 key transformation initiatives (across infrastructure, applications, processes and people) towards integrating acquired businesses in Singapore and Indonesia with the regional office and alignment with the global excellence model. The programme was recognized by providing a roadmap for the integration and transformation of future merger and acquisitions (M&A).
  • At Symantec he managed the regional transformation efforts (APAC and Japan) for the Athena programme, a large-scale global transformation programme that drove the integration of and following the acquisition and merger of Blue Coat Systems by Symantec. He recruited and led a team of 25 change agents and business owners, engaging more than 3,000 stakeholders across APAC and Japan, resulting in a 100% increase in cross-functional collaboration and businesses meeting readiness timelines by the third release.
  • At Shell he led the end-to-end transformation and relocation of customer service, back-office, and credit operations from Hong Kong to Malaysia and from New Zealand to the Philippines resulting in significant operational improvements and contributing to initiative wide saving exceeding $20 million. The work received Shell Excellence Award and was recognized for being the best offshoring program to date.
• C-Level Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement: Having reported directly to C-level executives and SVPs across several large multinational companies (spanning Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, China, the UK, and the US), he excels at securing buy-in from diverse high-level stakeholders and fostering collaborative decision-making. 

MBA, AIT School of Management, Thailand (2004)

Master of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, USA (1998)

Bachelor of Information Science, Molde University & University of Westminster (1996)