Singapore-headquartered bank DBS appoints new group head of institutional banking and Singapore country head.

After Tan Su Shan was appointed as group CEO, starting next March, DBS has made two senior-level appointments, effective January 2025. Shan is succeeding Piyush Gupta as CEO who will be retiring at the next annual general meeting on 28 March next year.

Han Kwee Juan (pictured), presently DBS Singapore country head, will succeed Shan as group head of institutional banking (IBG)

Lim Him Chuan, currently group head of strategy, transformation, analytics and research (GSTAR), will take over the role of Singapore country head

In their new roles, both Juan and Chuan will continue to be members of DBS’ group executive committee and report to DBS CEO Piyush Gupta.

Juan has led the DBS Singapore franchise since 2023. Under his leadership, DBS held its market leadership position in key lines of businesses including deposits, credit cards and mortgage loans. He also created greater synergy between consumer and institutional banking, solidifying DBS’ “one-bank” customer proposition. 

Juan joined DBS in 2019 after a 27-year career at Citigroup, where his last position was CEO of Citi Singapore. At DBS, he also double-hatted as acting chief information officer (CIO) between November 2023 and May 2024. As acting CIO, he helped to strengthen DBS’ technology resiliency. Prior to his current role as Singapore country head, he was group head of strategy and planning.

In his 23 years at DBS, Chuan has worked across geographies, as well as in a mix of business and risk management functions. In his current role as group head of GSTAR, he is responsible for driving the transformation agenda of DBS, including the institutionalisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and Gen AI.

From 2018 to 2023, Chuan was CEO of DBS Bank Taiwan where he led the acquisition of Citi Taiwan’s consumer banking business, making DBS the largest foreign bank in Taiwan. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions at Risk Management Group, group audit, Institutional Banking Group and Global Transaction Services.

“The management change reflects DBS’ deep bench strength and our commitment to grooming talent from within. Kwee Juan and Him Chuan are key members of our senior management team who have proven to be capable leaders,” Gupta said.