Sopheak Chenda Kheng

Scholar background

Sopheak is the Deputy Head of Corporate Banking at J Trust Royal Bank, a joint venture between Japanese financial holding company J Trust and The Royal Group, one of Cambodia’s largest diversified conglomerates. Her responsibilities include managing one-third of the Corporate Banking portfolio and engaging with stakeholders to simplify and improve customer experience.

She began her banking career at ANZ Royal bank in 2010, which was acquired by J Trust Royal in 2019. Starting as a Business Performance Analyst, she moved on to become the Large Corporate and Multinational Corporate Senior Relationship Manager for both lending and non-lending corporates within the petroleum, steel, energy and infrastructure sectors.

In 2007, Chenda earned two bachelor’s degrees: a Bachelor of Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh and a Bachelor in Informatics Economics from the Royal University of Laws and Economics. She received her Master of Global Trade at RMIT University Vietnam through the Hinrich Global Trade Leader Scholarship Program in 2023.

Personal statement

I have been in the banking industry for almost 13 years, where I have gained practical experience dealing with both local and multinational corporate customers. Most of these customers have maintained long-term trade relationships with suppliers from different countries.

After hearing about the Hinrich Foundation scholarship from my Line Manager, an alumnus of the program, I did some research and discovered that  that the course curriculum includes international trade policy, supply chain, digitalization and leadership skill development. These are all valuable skills I knew I needed to advance my banking career. Being a member of this program will enrich me with a deeper understanding of global trade theories, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain, and how to adapt and adjust to face future challenges. In addition, I will have the opportunity to expand my network via my classmates and professors.

I believe that everything I learn through the MGT Program will not only benefit me, but will also be a benefit to my nation as I will be able to share knowledge with my customers and colleagues, who are driving forces of my country’s economic growth. The Program will also put me in a position to promote my employer’s core value: to be a trusted banking partner who brings added values to our customers.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Hinrich Foundation and my organization – J Trust Royal PLC – for offering me this golden opportunity, and for supporting me in my professional advancement through this new international learning experience.