(Credit: Suchitra Narayanan)
From Kuala Lumpur to London and Back to Asia
Born in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Suchitra Narayanan left house at the age of 18 to pursue her studies in London, a move that shaped both her career and worldview for the next two decades. Today, as Head of Risk at Revantage Asia Pacific, her career spans Kuala Lumpur, London and Singapore, bringing together global best practices with deep regional insight.
“I spent about 20 years in London before moving back to Asia. Coming back to Asia has been a great way to bring that experience into markets that are growing and evolving quickly,” said Suchitra.
Building a Career in a Mature Risk Market
Suchitra began her professional career in London as a Chartered Accountant, before transitioning into risk management at a time when the discipline itself was still taking shape. Drawn to the field’s potential, she saw risk as a space where analytical rigour met creativity.
“I was looking for a career that was still in its infancy, almost a blank canvas that you could grow,” she explained. Starting within financial services, including banking and insurance, she spent her early years helping to build in-house risk functions in a highly structured and regulated environment.
Returning Home and Rebuilding from the Ground Up
After two decades in London, moving back to Kuala Lumpur marked a significant shift. Transitioning out of financial services into industries such as oil and gas and aviation, Suchitra found herself once again building risk frameworks from the ground up.
“It felt like I’d gone back in time, but in a good way, because I could take what I have learned before and use that experience to put the building blocks back together,” she reflected.
Finding Her Place in a New Risk Culture
One of Suchitra’s earliest challenges she faced when working in a new country was navigating differing expectations, both professionally and culturally.
“Figuring out how people worked and what they expected from me was one of the biggest challenges,” she recalled.
Building a network from scratch proved equally demanding, particularly in environments where risk management was still viewed as a back-office function.
“It wasn’t always seen as something that should influence decision-making. I had to find my way in and open that door for myself again.”
Navigating Senior Stakeholders and Boards
Now based in Singapore, Suchitra operates in an environment that blends international standards with strong regional dynamics.
“Understanding what matters most to leaders in each market is key. Clear, concise communication and consistency go a long way in building trust,” she emphasised.
Life Beyond the Role
Beyond work, Suchitra credits personal grounding practices with helping her manage complexity and pressure. Trained in Indian classical dance from the age of six, she continues to dance regularly today.
“It’s a way for me to reset. It keeps me grounded, creative, and clear-headed, especially when juggling multiple priorities or complex risks,” she shared.
Advice for Risk Leaders Moving Abroad
Reflecting on her journey, Suchitra’s advice to risk leaders moving abroad for the first time is both practical and reassuring. “Be patient and take time to learn the local culture,” she said. “Don’t rush to change things. Build your network early and be ready to adapt, what works in one place may not work in another.”
The Value of PARIMA’s Community and Looking Ahead
As a PARIMA Board Member, Suchitra sees strong value in professional communities that support risk leaders working outside their home markets.
“Associations like PARIMA connect professionals across the region. They help bridge cultural and regulatory gaps and create a community where people can learn from one another,” she said.
Looking ahead, she believes international risk leaders in Asia Pacific will become even more strategic, leveraging technology, data and cross-border collaboration to build resilience and sustainability. For Suchitra, a career spent far from home has shaped not just how she manages risk, but how she leads with perspective, empathy and adaptability in a rapidly evolving region.
