SINGAPORE — According to insiders at OCBC Bank, one of the most significant contributions made by chief executive Helen Wong is her role as a leader who promotes collaboration across the bank's various markets and businesses to create synergies.
Koh Li-San, head of funding and capital management at OCBC, highlighted Wong's belief in the importance of collaboration as part of OCBC's "One Group" strategy. This strategy involves operating as a unified group across different business units, entities, and geographies to leverage opportunities in the Asean-Greater China region.
"She succeeded in bringing people together, encouraging closer teamwork, and fostering innovative ideas to reach more customers and enhance cross-selling," said Koh, who worked closely with Wong during her tenure.
Mike Ng, group chief sustainability officer at OCBC, mentioned that Wong was adept at identifying synergies in various areas, including sustainability initiatives.
"For instance, best practices, training programs, and sustainable finance product development were shared across different divisions and entities," Ng explained, emphasizing the culture of cross-collaboration that Wong instilled within the organization.
OCBC primarily operates in four key markets in Asia - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Greater China. The bank also includes entities such as private bank Bank of Singapore, insurer Great Eastern (GE), and asset manager Lion Global Investors.
Koh and Ng, among others, were interviewed by The Straits Times following the announcement of Wong's retirement. They unanimously praised Wong's positive and empathetic leadership style.
Lee Shyong, who collaborates with Wong on matters related to large corporate and institutional clients, described her leadership as people-centric.
"She pays attention to individuals, listens to them, and makes them feel valued and recognized. This is crucial in today's context, especially for the younger generation that appreciates empathetic and authentic leadership," said Lee, who serves as the group head of public sector, sovereign wealth, and pension funds and services for global corporate banking.
Ng added that Wong, as a positive and resilient leader, provided strength and support to her colleagues during challenging times.
Wong, who joined OCBC Bank in 2020 and became group CEO in 2021, will retire on Dec 31 to prioritize spending time with her family. She will be succeeded by Tan Teck Long, who will assume the CEO role on Jan 1, 2026.
During her tenure as CEO, Wong oversaw a period of strong performance for OCBC, with record-breaking profits and significant growth in the bank's share price. Despite facing challenges, Wong's leadership has been instrumental in steering OCBC towards success and growth.
Her legacy at OCBC includes fostering a culture of collaboration, promoting sustainability initiatives, and being a beacon of positivity and empathy in leadership.
