• Charles Sturt graduate announced as a finalist for Australia China Alumni Awards
• Awards recognise the success of Australian university graduates working in China
• Jeffrey Yap, Managing Director at HSBC Private Banking, shortlisted for award

A member of Charles Sturt University’s (Charles Sturt) alumni has been announced as a finalist for the 11^th annual Australia China Alumni Awards.

Mr Jeffrey Yap, a graduate of Charles Sturt’s Master of Business Administration (Management), was announced as a finalist in the banking and finance category of the awards, which recognise the outstanding work of Australian university graduates in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Since graduating from Charles Sturt in 2009, Mr Yap has forged a successful career in financial management.

The nomination citation states that he is one of few financial professionals in Asia who has held regional leadership positions across a variety of financial institutions and financial asset classes at a young age.

Today, he is Managing Director and Regional Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities, Asia at HSBC Private Banking.

Speaking of his nomination Mr Yap said, “I am honoured to be a finalist in the Australia China Alumni Awards and to be recognised for my work in the banking and finance sector in Asia. 

“The education I received under the Charles Sturt University MBA program played a great part in my career progression in the area of financial services. 

“The program broadened my perspective outside of just theoretical finance and gave me the necessary foundation of looking at business organisations more holistically.

Before working at HSBC, Mr Yap held senior leadership and finance positions at a number of institutions including PAG, which is one of the largest independent alternative investment group in Asia Pacific, Mizuho Securities Asia, and Ark One Limited.

Key achievements across Mr Yap’s career include aiding the expansion of Commerce International Merchant Bankers’ regional fixed income footprint in Asia, leading Rabobank's propriety business in Asia Pacific, and the running of JL Capital’s global credit investment strategy.

Mr Yap’s position as a finalist also recognises the work he has done to share his knowledge within the finance industry.

He has participated in numerous industry speaking roles and events, and has been a visiting lecturer at the Taiwan Academy of Finance and at other educational bodies.

The Australia China Alumni Awards include the following six categories: banking and finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, research and science, arts and creative industries, Australia China Alumni of the Year Award, and the Young Australia China Alumni of the Year Award.

The winners of the awards will be announced on Sunday 24 November in Beijing.

Last year, more than 200 guests attended the ceremony to celebrate the 10-year milestone of the awards, including senior Australian government officials, university representatives, and members from the Australia-China corporate community.