Piyush Gupta Joins Council of Presidential Advisers in Singapore

Former DBS Group CEO Piyush Gupta has been appointed as an alternate member of Singapore’s Council of Presidential Advisers. The announcement was made by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam following a recommendation from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This appointment, effective immediately, allows Mr. Gupta to serve a four-year term.

Mr. Wong consulted with Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, prior to nominating Mr. Gupta. The Council of Presidential Advisers plays a crucial role in advising the president on exercising custodial powers, particularly in safeguarding Singapore’s reserves and maintaining the integrity of the public service.

Composition and Responsibilities of the Council

The council consists of eight members and two alternate members. It is chaired by Eddie Teo, with other prominent members including Lim Chee Onn, Bahren Shaari, Chua Sock Koong, Peter Seah Lim Huat, Mildred Tan-Sim Beng Mei, Chao Hick Tin, and Tan Chong Meng. Gan Seow Kee serves as the other alternate member.

Under Singapore’s Constitution, if the council’s chairman is unable to fulfill their duties, another member assumes the role, while an alternate member steps in for the absent member. This structure ensures continuity in the council’s advisory functions.

Piyush Gupta’s Background and Contributions

Mr. Gupta led DBS Group as CEO and director from November 2009 until March 2025. During his tenure, the bank received numerous accolades, including being recognized as the best bank and best digital bank globally on multiple occasions. Prior to joining DBS, he had a distinguished 27-year career at Citigroup, where he served as CEO for South East Asia, Austrailia, and New Zealand.

In addition to his new role, Mr. Gupta currently chairs the board of trustees at Singapore Management University and the board of Mandai Park Holdings. He also holds the position of deputy chairman at Keppel Corporation and is a board member of the National Research Foundation. Furthermore, he was involved in Singapore’s Emerging Stronger Taskforce, which aimed to navigate the country’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recognition of his significant contributions to Singapore, Mr. Gupta was awarded the Public Service Star in 2020 by then-President Halimah Yacob. His extensive experience in finance and leadership positions positions him well to contribute to the advisory functions of the council.