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Employee Stories

Boris Lai

Unlocking potential

Boris

At Standard Chartered, we believe that skills and capabilities are the foundation of a thriving organisation. By prioritising talent development, personalised career growth, and fostering an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered, we create a space where individuals can explore their full potential. Boris Lai, Premier Service Manager in the Corporate and Investment Banking, embodies this ethos. His inspiring journey from an entry-level operations role to a client-facing managerial position showcases how Standard Chartered fosters growth, adaptability, and success.   

Standard Chartered gave me the chance to explore different roles based on my skills and interests. Their approach to internal deployment helped me find a position that aligns with my capabilities and aspirations
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Boris Lai

A leap of faith: Boris’s beginning  

Boris joined Standard Chartered in 2021 as an Officer in the Client Management team. With limited experience in banking, he took a leap of faith into an industry he was unfamiliar with. Referred by a friend to a position requiring minimal expertise, Boris saw this as an opportunity to learn and grow.  

“It was an opportunity to learn on the fly,” Boris recalls. “I was new to banking, but the role helped me develop a keen interest in the industry.” 

In his early days, Boris focused on documentation tasks, reviewing client applications for company changes, and ensuring smooth operational processes. While this foundational role helped him build essential skills, Boris soon realised he wanted more. “I wanted to move to a position where I could develop further and take something valuable home every day, a role that motivates me to push myself.” he shares. 

The advantage internal mobility 

Standard Chartered’ s approach to internal deployment became a turning point in Boris’s career. The bank’s commitment to prioritising existing employees for new opportunities gave him the flexibility and mobility to explore roles better aligned with his aspirations. 

“I was given priority as an existing employee and interviewed for several positions. All of the team leaders offered me a chance to join their teams.” Boris explains. 

Ultimately, Boris transitioned into his current role as Premier Service Manager. In this position, he supports corporate clients, specifically securities firms, by monitoring payment transactions, addressing inquiries, resolving concerns, and collaborating with internal teams to enhance service delivery. 

Reflecting on his transition, Boris credits his managers and colleagues for their unwavering support. “Both my ex-manager and new manager were incredibly helpful during the handover period. I had time to guide my colleagues in my previous role while preparing for my new position. This made the transition seamless and allowed me to hit the ground running,” he says. 

Empowering growth through skills and support 

The skills Boris honed in his previous role proved instrumental in his success as Premier Service Manager. His background in documentation provided him with a solid foundation to adapt quickly to his new responsibilities. 

The connections I built in my previous role also became an advantage. My stakeholders already knew me, trusted my work quality, and supported me in this new chapter
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Boris Lai

Today, Boris thrives in his client-facing role, which demands critical skills such as communication, multitasking, time management, and resilience under pressure. “I enjoy my current role because it has developed my personality and communication skills,” he says. “It’s rewarding to resolve client concerns and ensure their satisfaction with my performance.” 

While the job can be challenging at times, Boris views these moments as opportunities for growth. “Although it may be stressful sometimes, I take it as a way to strengthen myself and achieve goals,” he reflects. 

Life at Standard Chartered: Optimism, challenge, objectivity  

When asked to describe life at Standard Chartered in three words, Boris chooses: optimism, challenging, and objective. These words encapsulate his journey, a testament to the bank’s focus on personalised career development, skill-based deployment, and fostering a dynamic work environment where employees feel valued for their unique experiences and talents.   

As Boris puts it: “Standard Chartered gave me the chance to explore different roles based on my skills and interests. Their approach to internal deployment helped me find a position that aligns with my capabilities and aspirations.”   

A culture of growth and respect 

At Standard Chartered, we believe in unlocking the potential of our people by prioritizing their skills and experiences. Employees like Boris are proof that when individuals feel valued and supported, they can achieve extraordinary things, not just for themselves but for the organisation as a whole.   

If you’re looking for a workplace that offers flexibility, mobility, and opportunities to grow your skills while feeling respected for who you are, Standard Chartered might just be the place for you. As Boris’s story shows, it’s not just about building a career, it’s about building a future full of possibilities.