Chok Ban Siong – Building a strong appetite to stay ahead

Inspiration

I am inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager. What stands out to me is his ability to build a strong team culture, develop people, and sustain high performance over many years. He balanced discipline with genuine care for individuals and constantly adapted to stay ahead. His long-term, people-focused approach to leadership is something I admire and strive to emulate.

Loving Roche because...

What I love most about Roche is its people-driven culture and deep commitment to patients. The company genuinely invests in its people — creating an environment of trust, support, and collaboration where individuals can grow and do their best work. At the same time, everything we do is anchored to a clear purpose: improving patients’ lives. This combination of caring for people and making a meaningful impact is what makes Roche a unique and inspiring place to work.

My career journey 

I began my career in the IBM shared services center, where I spent over two decades progressing through a variety of regional and leadership roles spanning Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, and HR Services Delivery. In January 2020, I embraced a new challenge and joined Roche to lead the Record-to-Report (R2R) function for RSS APAC. During this time, I had the opportunity to drive the successful implementation of the RAMP initiative for the APAC R2R team, enhancing process standardization and efficiency across the region.

With the launch of the RSS Evolution transformation in April 2023, I was appointed as the Global Product Lead overseeing the Capital & Lease Accounting process, further expanding my scope to a global level. Since June 2024, I have taken on an expanded role as the Finance Manager for RSS APAC.

Self-development 

The most useful way for me to develop is by building a strong appetite to stay ahead and continuously improve. I learn best when I challenge myself to think forward, seek new knowledge, and apply it quickly in my work. I value honest feedback, real-life problem-solving, and opportunities that stretch my capabilities. This mindset of relentless improvement enables me to lead my team more effectively and support them through change with confidence.

Maintaining passion at work

I maintain my passion by keeping a positive and focused mindset, especially during challenging moments. I remind myself of the bigger purpose behind the work, which helps me stay grounded and motivated. I see challenges as opportunities to grow, learn, and strengthen my leadership. This mindset fuels my resilience and keeps me committed to bringing my best to the team.

My career journey advice

My advice is to believe in yourself and think big. Don’t be afraid to push your boundaries and step outside your comfort zone because that is where real growth happens. Continuously develop yourself, stay curious, and invest in building skills that keep you ahead. Set bold, macro-level objectives for your career and stay intentional about the impact you want to make. At RSS, opportunities are abundant for those who are proactive, open to learning, and willing to challenge themselves. You are here to make a difference — embrace that mindset and your journey will be exciting and fulfilling.