European financial services group Societe Generale announced the appointment of Hacina Py as Chief Sustainability Officer, replacing outgoing Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Sylvie Préa, who has held the role since 2016, and been with the bank for 36 years.

The bank also announced the elevation of the CSO role, which will report directly to General Management, beginning next year, highlighting “the central part of CSR in the Group’s strategy.” Py will also join the Group Management Committee.

Py has been with Societe Generale for over 25 years, most recently serving as Head of Impact Finance Solutions and Global Head of Export Finance for Global Banking and Investor Solutions. She has held a variety of roles during her tenure at the bank, including as Head of Scarce Resources Management for financing activities at the Corporate & Investment Banking division (SGCIB), Managing Director Global Financing SGCIB, and Deputy Head Asset Based Finance for Continental Europe.

Frédéric Oudéa, Societe Generale Group Chief Executive Officer said:

“We’re very happy for Hacina Py to take over as Chief Sustainability Officer. We are committed to acting as a true leader on CSR issues, by supporting our clients in jointly building more inclusive and sustainable paths for our economies. We have put CSR at the heart of the Group’s strategy. It will be one of the three pillars of our next strategic plan for 2025. Hacina’s experience will be instrumental to make sure those issues are at the core of our business development and reinforce our positive impact. I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Sylvie Préa. She has worked for the bank for 36 years and her faultless commitment has made a decisive contribution to the Group’s CSR progress over the past years.”