Laurence Smith

A pioneer in driving a digital-first mindset and innovative culture in some of the world’s most iconic companies, Laurence is known for having worked with the CEO to come up with DBS Bank’s ‘Make Banking Joyful’ mission. Laurence is most recently the Chief People Officer (CHRO) of the world’s first pure play universal digital bank, Eradah Capital, soon to launch in Dubai, UAE. In this role, Laurence worked with the CEO, CTO & Chief Data Officer to completely rethink how a data-first digital bank operates, and the implications for organisation design, staffing, and capabilities.

Prior to this, Laurence worked on and advised various Digital Transformation projects across Asia. Laurence was previously Managing Director Human Resources and Group Head of Learning and Talent Development at DBS Bank in Singapore. During this time, he helmed the innovative and award-winning #DBSHackathon series. The 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 was on the Digital Advisory Board of Danone Asia. He previously held senior roles as global Chief Learning Officer at LG Electronics in Seoul, APAC Head of Learning and Development for GE Money in Tokyo, & with the Organisation Design Practice at McKinsey in Boston.

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