Chris Becker
Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer
Chris Becker became Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer at SMBC MANUBANK in January 2025 after joining the Bank as Interim Head of Human Resources in July 2024. Chris is a member of the Management Committee and also serves as Head of Human Resources for SMBC Americas Division group companies (SMBC Canada and SMBC Brazil). In his role at SMBC MANUBANK, Chris is responsible for creating and maintaining a strategic framework for the full suite of Human Resources functions, ensuring the Bank’s most valuable resource—its people—are engaged and empowered to deliver on the Bank’s organizational objectives.
Most recently, Chris held the title of Head of SMBC Americas Division Human Resources Business Management, supporting SMBC’s U.S. Chief Human Resources Officer in the development of Human Resources strategy and administration. He effectively led several enterprise-level workforce initiatives including cross-entity functional alignment and establishing hybrid/remote workforce models.
Prior to joining SMBC Americas Division in 2017, Chris worked for Nomura where he began as a summer intern and subsequently advanced to positions of increasing responsibility including 12 years as Managing Director, Head of Human Resources, Americas. Chris served as a member of Nomura Americas Corporate Executive Committee, Nomura Americas Benefits Committee, and Nomura’s Global Human Resources Committee. He managed the firm’s 300% Americas’ headcount increase and transformed Human Resources from an execution-focused function to a strategic advisor to the business.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government at Cornell University and holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Brooklyn Law School. When he’s not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and his Great Pyrenees, Pepper.
Most recently, Chris held the title of Head of SMBC Americas Division Human Resources Business Management, supporting SMBC’s U.S. Chief Human Resources Officer in the development of Human Resources strategy and administration. He effectively led several enterprise-level workforce initiatives including cross-entity functional alignment and establishing hybrid/remote workforce models.
Prior to joining SMBC Americas Division in 2017, Chris worked for Nomura where he began as a summer intern and subsequently advanced to positions of increasing responsibility including 12 years as Managing Director, Head of Human Resources, Americas. Chris served as a member of Nomura Americas Corporate Executive Committee, Nomura Americas Benefits Committee, and Nomura’s Global Human Resources Committee. He managed the firm’s 300% Americas’ headcount increase and transformed Human Resources from an execution-focused function to a strategic advisor to the business.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government at Cornell University and holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Brooklyn Law School. When he’s not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and his Great Pyrenees, Pepper.