Chief Executive Officers
Purpose-driven leadership has propelled us to excel and make a difference in the communities we operate in. Learn more about the people who have guided us.
Nov 2009 - Present
Piyush Gupta
Mr Piyush Gupta has been Chief Executive Officer and Director of DBS Group since 2009. He led the bank's digital transformation, and during his tenure, DBS was named "World's Best Bank" by global publications like Euromoney and Global Finance, as well as "World"s Best digital Bank" by Euromoney. In addition, in 2019, DBS was listed among the top ten most transformative organisations of the decade by Harvard Business Review.
Piyush was named one of the world's top 100 best-performing chief executives in Harvard Business Review — 2019 edition of "The CEO 100". In 2020, he was awarded the Public Service Star by the President of Singapore for his meritorious services to the nation. He was named Global Indian of the Year by the Economic Times in 2021, Singapore Business Awards' Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year in 2016, and Singapore Business Leader of the Year by CNBC in 2014.
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May 2008 - Apr 2009
Richard Daniel Stanley
Appointed 1 May 2008, Mr Richard Stanley was CEO of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank Ltd. Richard helped DBS to grow its regional footprint, diversify its revenue base and focus on higher-return businesses. Richard passed away on 11 April 2009 from leukaemia.
Paying tribute to Richard, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in 2009: "A very pleasant man. I would say — a good man.. his attitude was to do as much as he could for the customers."
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Jun 2002 - Dec 2007
Jackson Tai
A United States citizen, Mr Jackson Tai was CEO from June 2002 to December 2007. Jack helped to transform DBS from a Singapore-centric bank into a leading regional bank.
"At DBS, he is known for his sharp intellect, relentless drive, tireless dedication and strong attention to detail. As CEO, he was instrumental in growing DBS' geographical reach and strengthening our Asian franchise," said Mr Koh Boon Hwee in 2007.
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Jan 2001 - Jun 2002
Philippe Paillart
Mr Phillipe Paillart was appointed CEO in January 2001. Previously, he was the bank's Senior Managing Director and Head of the Consumer Banking Group. As CEO, Philippe was key to the acquisition and consolidation of Dao Heng Bank, thereby better positioning the bank to expand into North East Asia and developing a platform for business opportunities in China.
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Aug 1998 - Jan 2001
John T. Olds
Appointed as CEO in August 1998, Mr John Olds put in place a clear vision to make the bank a world-class regional bank, and the best bank in Asia. His development of internal changes in systems and processes markedly improved the bank's financial position and ability to compete, and helped attract world-class talent at all levels thereby laying a strong foundation for future growth.
Said former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1999, "John Olds is a top-class banker with worldwide experience in New York, Singapore, London, and a global network of connections with other bankers. Together with the chairman Dhanabalan, they have been able to recruit a team to restructure and transform DBS into a regionally competitive bank. Top men attract other potential top men."
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Mar 1990 - May 1998
Ngiam Tong Dow
As youngest ever Permanent Secretary at age 33, Mr Ngiam Tong Dow thereafter became Chairman and CEO of DBS from March 1990 to May 1998. With the acquisition of The Post Office Savings Bank of Singapore, DBS became the largest bank in Southeast Asia with total assets of SGD 99 billion. Under Tong Dow's stewardship, the bank grew rapidly and the foundation was laid for its regional strategy.
Paying tribute to Tong Dow, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in 2020, "His ethos of discipline and prudence continues to define the bank today...His legacy will live on, and his contributions will touch the lives of many generations of Singaporeans to come."
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