GE Capital, the financial services segment of the General Electric Company, has appointed Steve Sargent as president and CEO of GE Capital’s business operations in Asia Pacific. Mr Sargent will be based in Tokyo, Japan and take over the role of John Flannery, who has been promoted to run GE’s operations in India.
Prior to his current role, Mr Sargent held a number of senior finance, sales and quality positions in GE Capital, including president and CEO of GE European Equipment Finance from 2000 to 2003.
Currently he is serving as president and CEO of GE for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and president and CEO of GE Capital for Australia and New Zealand. He will continue heading GE Capital ANZ until a replacement is named and will remain national executive for GE ANZ along with his new Asia Pacific role.
Mike Neal, vice chairman of GE and president and CEO of GE Capital, said: “Steve is an ideal match for this position. He knows the industry, region and GE Capital equally well. Throughout his career, Steve has developed strong customer relationships, built talented teams and found innovative ways to grow the business. In a very challenging 2008, he lead our GE Capital ANZ team to grow earnings double digits while reducing costs.
“He will bring this operational excellence to Asia Pacific, an important market for us. The fact that we have someone of Steve’s caliber ready to take on this new challenge is a testament to GE’s leadership development.”
