In March 2025, Tan Su Shan became CEO of DBS, Southeast Asia’s largest bank—making history as both the first female and first internal successor to lead the institution. Under her leadership, DBS remains a benchmark of innovation and stability in the global banking sector.
Top 10 Global Recognition
On 20 May 2025, Fortune released its “100 Most Powerful Women in Business” list—using, for the first time, a numerical scoring system based on scale, influence, innovation, and impact. Tan Su Shan ranked 6th globally, the only Singaporean and one of only two Asia-based women to appear in the Top 10—alongside Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.
An Exemplary Track Record
Tan has over 35 years of experience across major financial centres—Hong Kong, Tokyo, London—and held senior roles at Morgan Stanley and Citi before joining DBS in 2010. She led DBS’s consumer banking, wealth management, and institutional banking divisions before stepping into the top role.
Leading at a Time of Growth and Complexity
She succeeds Piyush Gupta, under whose 15-year leadership DBS delivered a ~475% total shareholder return and transformed into Asia’s premier digital bank. As CEO, Tan now faces macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising digital demands—along with a strategic push into AI, fintech, and bolt-on acquisitions.
A Proud Moment for SG60 and Singapore
For SG60, Tan Su Shan’s ascent signals something greater: our capacity to compete on merit, gender, and global clout. She now brings Singapore to the forefront of global business leadership—a testament to our talent and ambition.
What This Means for the Future
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Gender representation: A milestone for women in finance, reinforcing Singapore’s progress in gender parity.
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Institutional strength: DBS’s first internal, female CEO reflects confidence in homegrown leadership.
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Global leadership: Ranking sixth globally boosts Singapore’s reputation on the world stage.
SG60 Insight
In our 60th year, Singapore isn’t just celebrating what we’ve built—but who we produce. Tan Su Shan’s rise is not only a personal triumph—it is an SG60 beacon: of aspiration, capability, and global relevance.
