DBS Bank Names Head Of Regional HR And Head Of Regional Communications

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Appointments mark important step in integration of DBS Bank's regional businesses

SINGAPORE, SEP 21 - DBS Bank today announced the appointments of Tony Gomes as Head, Group Human Resources and Darryl Dickens as Head, Group Communications.

The move is part of DBS Bank's increasing focus on its human resources and communications functions. This comes as the Bank accelerates its regional integration and leverages its business strengths led from its key hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong, and its growing presence in Thailand and the Philippines.

DBS Bank CEO Philippe Paillart explained the bank sees the appointments as central in its ongoing goal to become the Best Bank in Asia.

"The Bank has been, and remains critically focused on its customers. We will build on our strong consumer-oriented platform by sharpening our businesses and processes, and ensuring that we have the best people to service customers while keeping everybody informed of what we are doing and why.

"Human resources and corporate communications are two areas that are central to the success of organisations in the 21st Century, and the importance is only set to increase.

"To this end, both Tony and Darryl fit well with DBS Bank's vision for world-class best practices tempered with a deep local knowledge and understanding. They bring important new capabilities to the Bank, and I am delighted that they have agreed to join us at what is a challenging, but exciting time.

"As a business we are facing not only major changes within the industry, but increasingly adverse economic conditions worldwide. DBS Bank is, however, well placed to weather the current uncertainty, extract value from our regional franchise and grow our businesses in Asia. We have the underlying financial strength, a superb team with the ability to develop new revenue streams and a unique regional position."

Tony Gomes brings to DBS Bank extensive international experience. A Hong Kong national by birth, Tony has a wide and varied human resources background gained from working across multiple industries and in different parts of the world including Asia, the United States and Europe. He brings a different and new perspective on human resources management and its contribution to DBS Bank.

Gomes was educated in the United States and started his working career there before returning to Asia in 1991. He has worked for the United States Army, British Petroleum in San Francisco and Houston and Baxter International in Chicago, Miami and Singapore. His most recent position was with Emerson Electric serving as Vice President Regional Human Resources - Asia Pacific.

Gomes will be responsible for leading the Human Resources and Training functions supporting the DBS Bank team in building the Best Bank in Asia. He will also be focusing on group-wide Human Resources initiatives on a regional basis.

Tong Chi Lian, who has extensive Human Resources experience within the Bank will continue as Managing Director, Human Resources, Singapore. Hing Mei Kune will also continue in her role as Managing Director - Training as DBS expands and leverages its training capabilities throughout the Bank. Both will report to Gomes.

Darryl Dickens, a Canadian national, is a Singapore Permanent Resident. Dickens was educated in Canada with a degree in Economics from the University of Victoria. He started his career in Canada and then moved to Asia in 1987. He has worked for Investec-Coopers & Lybrand, The Chung Hua Institution for Economic Research and the Pacific Rim Consulting Group. While with Burson-Marsteller he moved from Taiwan to Singapore and was the Managing Director of the Corporate Practice. His most recent position was with Scient Corporation serving as Managing Director of Marketing for Asia Pacific.

Dickens has an extensive background in communications gained from working in varied industries across Asia as well as North America. He brings a dynamic and clear perspective on the role and contribution that communications plays in an organisation.

DBS Group Holdings Ltd is the holding company of DBS Bank and is the largest banking group in Southeast Asia. DBS Bank is ranked among the top banks in Asia. A recognised leader in Internet banking and e-commerce, DBS is the market leader in Singapore-dollar loans and deposits, and equity fund raising. Beyond Singapore, DBS Group serves corporate, institutional and retail customers through subsidiaries and associated companies in Hong Kong, The Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, and provides international banking services through a network of overseas branches and offices. With its acquisition of Dao Heng Bank in June, 2001, DBS is the fourth largest bank in Hong Kong by assets.