DBS' Neal Cross wins global award for most disruptive Chief Innovation Officer

A panel which consists of prominent business innovators including Apple co-Founder Steve Wozniak and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson has judged DBS’ Chief Innovation Officer Neal Cross, as the most disruptive chief innovation officer (CIO)/chief technology officer (CTO) globally. DBS is a financial services group in Asia.

In the 2016 Talent Unleashed competition, organised by recruitment specialist Talent. exceptional individuals and organisations unleashing technology in the workplace and community are recognised. Cross edged out competitors from across UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand to be recognised as the most disruptive CIO.

The judging panel was impressed with Cross’ authenticity in catalysing innovation, enabling it to permeate the organisation, as well as his down-to-earth and practical approach in helping to roll out innovation across the bank.

Led by DBS CEO Piyush Gupta and his senior leadership team, together with Cross and DBS employees from virtually every part of the organisation, the bank has made re-imagining banking a significant part of its agenda. Said Gupta: “At DBS, we have spent the last three years intently pursuing a digital agenda. At the heart of this is our belief that with the rapid changes upon our industry, we need to transform the bank, and to turn it into a 22,000-person fintech. To be globally recognised at an organisational level by Euromoney, and now again as having the most disruptive CIO, is validation that our digital transformation is seen as being among the best in the world.”

In recent years, DBS has undertaken an extensive innovation programme that includes the introduction of lean startup thinking and human-centred design methodologies. In 2015, DBS also enhanced its engagement with the startup community with the launch of DBS HotSpot, a pre-accelerator programme for fintech, social enterprises and digital startups to encourage entrepreneurship. The pre-accelerator was well received with over 250 applications made in the second run of the programme.

Wozniak, who led the panel selecting the global winners said: “The Talent Unleashed awards represent people who have had ideas, started companies and created products that either do good for society, help people or give us more in our life.” He has been supporting the awards for the past three years.

Said Cross: “As a bank, DBS has been constantly driving innovation to reimagine how banking can be done, so that customers can live more and do the things they want to do. We are honoured that the international community recognises these efforts.”

Other winners at Talent Unleashed included:

- oDocs, a social enterprise aiming to prevent blindness as Best Start-Up – Social Impact

- CleverTar, a care and assistive technology specialist, as Best Start-Up – Tech Innovation

- TherapyBox, which builds apps for healthcare and education, as Best Digital SME

- ResApp Health, a digital healthcare provider for respiratory diseases, for Best Tech IPO/Venture Capital Raising
The five winners will travel to Silicon Valley in the US for an exclusive tour of some of the world’s leading technology companies and receive individual time with Wozniak to be guided on their continued innovation journey.

Source: DBS. From left: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and DBS Chief Innovation Officer Neal Cross at the Talent Unleashed awards. Wozniak was on the panel of judges that named Cross the most disruptive CIO globally.