Bank of Singapore appoints Lim Leong Guan to lead Dubai branch
Bank of Singapore has named Lim Leong Guan as its new leader for private banking in the Middle East, South Asia and International, in a move that reinforces the lender’s focus on Dubai as a strategic hub for wealth management growth. The appointment takes effect on 1 July 2026.
Based in Dubai, Lim will also serve as Chief Executive of the bank’s Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch, subject to regulatory approval. The role expands his oversight across a key market for the private bank as it seeks to capture rising demand from ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the region.
The appointment comes as Bank of Singapore works toward a target of increasing its global ultra-high-net-worth assets under management by 30% by 2028. The bank said the Middle East is expected to play an important role in reaching that goal, alongside its established Asian markets.
Lim brings 35 years of private banking experience to the position. He joined Bank of Singapore in 2020 and most recently served as Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, Family Office and Wealth Advisory. In that capacity, he led a team that more than doubled assets under management in the intermediaries segment within two years.
Before joining Bank of Singapore, Lim spent 25 years at UBS Wealth Management, where he held several senior leadership roles, including Asia Pacific Head of Wealth Planning.
Jason Moo, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Singapore, said the appointment highlights the importance of Dubai in the bank’s international strategy. “Appointing him to lead the Dubai team underscores its importance as a key hub alongside Singapore and Hong Kong,” Moo said.
Leadership changes across the private banking business
The leadership reshuffle also includes a new role for Annabelle Chow, who will become global segment lead for the financial intermediaries business following Lim’s move to his expanded mandate. Chow joined Bank of Singapore in 2016 and has overseen significant growth in the intermediaries team across Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Chow previously led FIM Alternatives Select, an alternative investment digital platform developed in partnership with global fintech firm iCapital. The platform gives independent asset managers access to more than 1,600 funds from over 600 asset managers.
According to the bank, Chow has 20 years of private banking experience. Her previous roles included coverage of family offices at Credit Suisse, as well as involvement in establishing intermediary desks across Asia.
The leadership changes come against a backdrop of rising wealth creation globally. Bank of Singapore referenced a Capgemini Research Institute report showing that the ultra-high-net-worth population grew by 9.4% in 2025, underscoring the expanding opportunity for private banks targeting this segment.
Industry Analysis
Bank of Singapore’s decision to strengthen leadership in Dubai reflects the city’s growing role as a regional wealth management center. By positioning a senior executive with deep private banking experience in the DIFC, the bank is signaling confidence in the Middle East’s ability to contribute meaningfully to long-term assets growth.
The move also suggests that competition for ultra-high-net-worth clients is intensifying, especially as global banks look to align regional leadership with fast-growing wealth pools. At the same time, the promotion of Annabelle Chow indicates that digital and intermediary-led distribution remain central to the bank’s strategy, particularly through platforms that connect asset managers with broader investment product access.
