Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, March 2026 – Jaspreet Kakar has taken on a new concurrent role as Managing Director, Global Head of Learning at SMBC Group, in addition to his existing responsibilities as Managing Director, Head of Talent & Learning APAC, further strengthening the organization’s global learning and talent strategy.
Jaspreet has been with SMBC Group for over three years and has been leading Talent and Learning across the APAC region from Singapore. In his expanded global role, he will drive enterprise-wide learning strategies, focusing on capability building, leadership development, and aligning learning initiatives with the organization’s global growth agenda.
Prior to joining SMBC Group, Jaspreet served as Chief Human Resources Officer at AXA Philippines, where he was part of the country leadership team and led a team of HR professionals supporting a large workforce. His role focused on building a purpose-driven culture, strengthening digital and change capabilities, and enabling organizational performance through talent and leadership initiatives.
Earlier, he held regional leadership responsibilities at AXA as Regional Head of Talent & Performance Management – Asia, where he drove talent strategy across multiple markets. He has also held key HR leadership roles at Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and Prudential Corporation Asia, building deep expertise in talent management, performance strategy, and organizational development across global markets.
Jaspreet began his career with Grasim Industries, where he worked in HR leadership roles, laying the foundation for his extensive experience in people strategy and business transformation.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources from Symbiosis International University.
About SMBC Group
SMBC Group is a leading global financial services group headquartered in Tokyo, with a history spanning over 400 years. The organization offers a wide range of services including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. With more than 150 offices and over 120,000 employees across nearly 40 countries, SMBC Group continues to play a critical role in the global financial ecosystem through innovation and customer-centric solutions.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
