Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has appointed Suzanne Smith to the role of managing director (MD), ratings, South & Southeast Asia.

Smith will lead the credit ratings analytical teams based in Mumbai and Singapore, covering all credits, including sovereigns, corporates and financial institutions in the region.

Yu-Tsung Chang, executive managing director, Asia-Pacific Ratings, said: "Smith is noted for her high standards of client service and thought leadership. Her deep experience with Standard & Poor's as an analytical leader and her strong understanding of a cross-section of industries make her ideally placed to address the growing demands of the South and Southeast Asia region."

Smith has been with Standard & Poor's for 13 years, and recently relocated to Mumbai from New York where she held senior managerial and analytical positions in project finance, energy and utility ratings and risk management for financial institutions