Published on 01/04/2019

Appointment of Gianluca Soma

Societe Generale announces the appointment of Gianluca Soma as Group Country Head for Russia from 1 July 2019. Mr Soma will also continue to fulfil his current functions as Head of International Banking Networks for Europe within the International Banking and Financial Services activity. He replaces Didier Hauguel who, after 35 years within the Group, will devote himself fully to his longstanding solidarity commitment with Imagine for Margo - Children Without Cancer. Didier Hauguel will continue to fulfil non-executive functions within the Group as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rosbank (Russia), Chairman of the Supervisory Board of GEFA Bank (Germany) and Director of ALD SA.

Gianluca Soma will continue with Ilya Polyakov, CEO of Rosbank, and the local teams the remarkable work achieved under the leadership of Didier Hauguel, which has made Rosbank one of the leading international banks in Russia, recognised for the quality of its business model and its solidity. As one of nine growth initiatives earmarked in the context of the Transform to Grow strategic plan, the Rosbank group has shown a capacity for adaptation over the years which has led to profitable growth today, confirming Societe Generale's long-term commitment in Russia.

“Didier Hauguel has led a very successful career since joining the General Inspection department in 1984: deputy head of Societe Generale in the US, Head of Risks on two occasions and notably during the crisis years, architect of the success currently being experienced by our International Banking, Financial Services and Insurance activities, and in particular of the rebound of our Russian activities. I would like to thank Didier sincerely for the exemplary commitment he has shown to Societe Generale group, its customers and teams.  I also wish Gianluca Soma every success in bringing his vast experience in banking networks to bear for the Russian teams, a significant attribute in fulfilling the ambitious development and transformation strategy being implemented by Rosbank” said Frédéric Oudéa, Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale.
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Biography:
Gianluca Soma: Head of International Retail Banking for Europe & Group Country Head for Russia, effective from 1 July 2019. Gianluca Soma started his career in 1984 in management consulting with Ernst & Young and then Telos. From 1994 to 1997 he was Head of international business for Hyperion Software Group, prior to joining GE Capital in 1997. In 1999 he was appointed CEO of Dial Italy, a subsidiary of Barclays Group. He joined Hertz Lease Italy as CEO in 2000. Following the acquisition of Hertz Lease by Societe Generale in 2002, Gianluca Soma served as Group Regional Director and later Deputy CEO of ALD Automotive Group. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ALD International in March 2008. Gianluca Soma was appointed to the Societe Generale Group Management Committee on July 1, 2010. In October 2010 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale Consumer Finance. In 2012, he is appointed Deputy Head of International Retail Banking & Financial Services Division before becoming Head of International Retail Banking for Europe. An Italian national, he graduated from LUISS University in Rome with a degree in Business Administration and received an MBA from the Turin School of Business Administration.

Press contact:
Antoine Lhéritier +33 (0)1 42 13 68 99  antoine.lheritier@socgen.com