Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking has appointed Mark Westley as regional head of shipping and asset-based finance for Asia Pacific.

Based in Hong Kong, Westley jointly reports to Yves Lallemand, deputy head of infrastructure and asset-based finance, and Paul Taylor, global head of shipping, both based in Paris. He reports regionally to Ashley Wilkins, head of global finance, Asia Pacific. Westley was previously head of the bank’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping team based in London.

Westley joined Société Générale in May 2005, and has managed, led or been a key member of the team on LNG, offshore and industrial shipping advisory and arranging mandates.

Before joining the bank, Westley spent five years with ANZ Investment Bank in London, where he worked in the leasing and structured asset finance team, after transferring from the power and infrastructure (project finance) team.

With its rapid economic growth and unabated demand for energy and natural resources, Asia is gaining recognition as an important shipping hub, with strong potential in particular for the oil and gas industry – including LNG – with opportunities in exploration, production and transportation. Westley’s transfer to Hong Kong will help further develop the bank’s advisory and arranging capability in LNG and offshore business in Asia Pacific.