Laurence Smith

In this role he is both driving business growth across Asia and developing ‘platform as a service’ offering to corporates for the Financial Wellness of their employees.

Immediately prior, he was most the Chief People Officer (CHRO) of the world’s first pure play universal digital bank, soon to launch in Dubai, UAE.

Prior to this, Laurence worked on and advised various Digital Transformation projects across Asia, and also contributed to the design and setup of national Digital ‘Future Skills’ initiatives in Singapore and Thailand. He was also on the Digital Advisory Board of Danone Asia.

Previously Laurence was Managing Director Human Resources and Group Head of Learning & Talent Development at DBS Bank in Singapore. He is most recognised for his work with the CEO on defining the Bank’s Purpose to ‘make Banking Joyful’ and the innovative & award winning #DBSHackathon series.

The overall Digital Mindset initiative & associated hackathon series was credited with helping develop the innovation culture that led to DBS being recognised as the ‘World’s Best Digital Bank’ in 2016 and 2018. Laurence personally received the CEO’s Asian Banking Innovation Award for this work.

Laurence is a frequent conference speaker, trainer, writer and thought leader on Digital Mindset & Innovation Culture, as well as frequent mentor & judge at Hackathons, including the Singapore Government's nationwide "Skills Future" Hackathon

In 2020 Laurence authored the global bestseller ‘Transformation Mindset: 10 Things Leaders should be doing today to turn Crisis into Opportunit

In recognition of his thought leadership and contribution to the field of HR, Laurence was in 2019 recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

A British national, Laurence has previously held senior roles as global Chief Learning Officer at LG Electronics in Seoul, APAC Head of Learning & Development for GE Money in Tokyo, & with the Organisation Design Practice at McKinsey in Boston. He has spent over 20 years in Asia and holds an MSc in Organisation Design & Knowledge Management from the US.