Finding fulfilment in a diverse culture

When Maggie Lock first joined Societe Generale as Head of HR for Hong Kong and Greater China in 2006, she brought with her more than a decade of experience in international financial institutions. She received her MBA in the United States and began her HR career with a US multinational, before spending five years with a major life insurance company. 

Since then, the group’s diverse working environment and nurturing team spirit have proved a match with her own personal and professional values. 

“The unique culture in Societe Generale keeps my career full of learning opportunities and enables me to contribute to different things where I can see a real impact,” Maggie says. 

Her career at Societe Generale has included roles in the regional HR management team for SG Group, before she took up her current position as Head of HR for Taiwan in 2019 and COO of HR for Asia Pacific in 2022.

Coming back to Societe Generale

Four years after first joining Societe Generale, Maggie was looking for a change. She took up a role with another financial institution, before rejoining the group in 2011 as Regional Head of Compensation and Benefits. “It was a functional area where I started in the HR profession,” she says. And the position came with additional responsibilities for the whole of Asia-Pacific: “I was given the mandate to establish the regional process and framework.”

Her decision to return to the group has been validated by her subsequent accomplishments. Appointed to her current role in 2022, Maggie is ready to tell potential applicants, new starters and others who have rejoined the company about the appeal of a career at Societe Generale. At the heart of this experience is finding new perspectives and new opportunities. “The different roles I have carried bring me new insights, new learnings, and chances to work with people with different backgrounds, personalities and expertise,” she says.

While Maggie has not stood still since rejoining, nor has Societe Generale. “The company has been evolving, with more and more empowerment to the region,” she says. This has meant more room to develop approaches that best reflect the profile and needs of the group in Asia. “I have seen much evolution in the HR processes, programmes, and decision-making process,” Maggie says.   

Personal drive, positive change

For Maggie, Societe Generale’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply personal, and an opportunity for her to make a real difference. 

Since 2019, she has been the chairperson of Societe Generale’s Differently Abled Network (DAN), which strives to promote an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities – known or unknown, visible or invisible. The DAN employee service group is empowered to design and implement a range of initiatives across the workforce and the community. 

“I learnt a lot from parenting my son who has neurodiverse conditions,” she says. “I received a lot of support – and I would like to contribute back.” 

With first-hand experience of the importance of a supportive community, Maggie is motivated to help Societe Generale further embed awareness and inclusion in its culture. Her work in DAN also pushes her to develop her own understanding of issues such as accessibility and inclusive recruitment. 

“To me, what is unique to SG is its dynamism, drive for excellence and care for people,” she says. 

For Maggie, it is an ongoing journey – and one that fulfils both professional and personal objectives. 
 

Find out more about our career opportunities here.