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DBS’ incoming CEO should make light of filling big shoes and grow the next leadership core

Winning over the confidence of stakeholders is tough when one succeeds a long-serving, highly regarded and charismatic leader

Leslie Yee
Published Thu, Aug 8, 2024 · 07:00 PM
    • DBS' chief executive Piyush Gupta; chairman Peter Seah; and newly minted deputy CEO Tan Su Shan, who will succeed Gupta as CEO in March 2025. 
    • DBS' chief executive Piyush Gupta; chairman Peter Seah; and newly minted deputy CEO Tan Su Shan, who will succeed Gupta as CEO in March 2025.  PHOTO: DBS

    DBS has done a good job of smoothly handling the thorny issue of leadership succession. It speaks well of the bank’s succession planning that the group chose an internal candidate who has served in various roles for many years to be its new chief executive officer.

    Sure, there may have been some jostling for the much coveted top job. However, DBS’ board was unanimous in choosing 56-year old Tan Su Shan from among many senior figures to be the next CEO of Singapore’s largest company by market capitalisation.

    On Wednesday (Aug 7), DBS’ board announced Tan’s appointment as deputy CEO, in addition to her existing role as group head of institutional banking. She will succeed Piyush Gupta, who turns 65 next year, when he retires at the next annual general meeting on Mar 28, 2025.

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