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Anna Lau - Global Business Icons 2025
Leader at a Glance
A transformation leader shaping the future of financial technology, known for modernising banking systems, leading large-scale digital innovation, integrating emerging technologies, and uniting strategic vision with practical, scalable execution across global institutions.
Name: Anna Lau
Designation: Head of Emerging Technologies
Company: OCBC Bank
Industry: HK - Technology Division
Country: Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Designation: Head of Emerging Technologies
Company: OCBC Bank
Industry: HK - Technology Division
Country: Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Anna Lau - Global Business Icons 2025
The banking and technology landscape is moving into a phase where stability, innovation, and disciplined execution must advance together. Institutions across the region are under growing pressure to modernise legacy systems, strengthen operational foundations, and build the digital capabilities needed for the next decade of financial services. This shift has created a demand for leaders who not only understand the technology driving transformation but also grasp the operational realities, regulatory demands, and customer expectations that shape today’s financial institutions. Among those leaders is Anna Lau, Head of Emerging Technologies at OCBC Bank, HK – Technology Division, whose career has been defined by hands-on execution and a consistent ability to turn complex transformation mandates into practical, scalable outcomes.
“My message is simple. Stay curious. Keep learning. Support others generously. Build your path with intention. And allow your passion to guide you toward work that reflects your values and aspirations.”
Her professional journey spans key roles at HSBC, DBS, BNP Paribas, Bank of Communications, and OCBC, allowing her to build a deep understanding of how large banks evolve, adapt, and prepare for future challenges. Over the years, she has led core banking transformations, overseen large-scale technology programmes, and guided teams through initiatives that demanded both technical depth and operational clarity. Her work has earned her a reputation for bridging strategy with delivery while ensuring that innovation creates real value for customers and the business. In her role, she committed to shaping the bank’s approach with emerging technologies and preparing the organisation for the next wave of digital capability. In her conversation with The Portfolio magazine, she reflects on the experiences, lessons, and perspectives that continue to guide her approach to leadership with Purpose and innovation.
“ Curiosity and courage walk together, and their journey turns uncertainty into opportunity.”
Your journey from Columbia Business School, where you focused on venture capital and private equity, to your current role in emerging technologies feels like a global tech adventure. What's one "spark" moment early on that lit up your passion for blending finance with cutting-edge tools?
The first decade of my career immersed me in the technical challenges of global banking. During those years, I witnessed the world transform at a pace that felt extraordinary. Markets tightened, geopolitical events created uncertainty, and technology accelerated without pause. Everything shifted simultaneously, and that environment made me reflect very deeply. I wanted to understand how to evolve with change, not react to it. I wanted to be the kind of leader who sees the road ahead with clarity. During this reflection, I found the venture capital and private equity program at Columbia Business School. The program drew me instantly. The curriculum connected finance, innovation and strategic thinking in a way that resonated with me. The more I explored it, the more I realised how naturally technology and finance could complement one another. My technical background in emerging technologies could become a powerful foundation for understanding financial value creation. That realisation became the spark. It was a moment that rewired how I viewed my path. I no longer saw myself as someone navigating change. I saw myself as someone preparing to shape it. That mindset remains the core of my journey today.
What milestone in your professional journey still makes your heart race when you share the story behind it?
The milestone that continues to excite me happened when I truly stepped into the intersection of finance and emerging technology. Once I understood how these two worlds naturally support each other, my entire perspective on value creation expanded. Finance brings structure, discipline and measurable outcomes. Technology brings scale, speed and innovation. Together, they form a powerful engine for exponential growth. One example that always inspires me is artificial intelligence. It strengthens decision-making, improves operational efficiency and opens doors that traditional methods could never reach. Understanding this potential made me feel as though I had entered a new dimension of opportunity. It became clear that the future of financial services depends on leaders who can translate complexity into practical, responsible action. Whenever I share this experience, the same enthusiasm returns. It reminds me of how limitless the possibilities are in today’s environment. Every new tool, capability or idea has the potential to transform the industry. This sense of discovery keeps my passion alive. It reinforces why I continue to invest in learning, exploring, and building solutions that create value not only for the bank but also for the communities and businesses we support across ASEAN and Greater China.
“The ecosystem we are building reflects the principles I believe in most. Collaboration, empathy, shared learning and responsible innovation.”
What is a tough hurdle you have crossed in your professional path, and what quiet strategy helped you turn it into a strength?
There were periods when emerging technologies felt unfamiliar, even to those working closely with them. The uncertainty created challenges, especially when the industry had not yet established clear standards or pathways. I realised very quickly that waiting for clarity would not be enough. I needed to create my own clarity through learning. I began investing more time in understanding the technical principles behind each emerging capability. I wanted to know why something worked, how it could be applied and where the real value could be unlocked. The more I studied, the more confident I became. This journey reshaped my leadership. It taught me how to think across domains and connect ideas that others might view as unrelated.
Over time, continuous learning became my quiet strength. It grounded me during uncertainty and helped me make decisions with both confidence and empathy. This mindset also aligned with my belief in a purposedriven human culture. Supporting others, lifting teams and guiding innovation responsibly require leaders who see the broader landscape and the human impact behind every decision. Learning remains my anchor. It is the strategy that helped me overcome challenges, and it continues to guide the way I build and contribute to the bank’s transformation vision. “Curiosity and courage walk together, and their journey turns uncertainty into opportunity.”
Who's that everyday inspiration whose words still echo in your boardroom decisions, and what leadership advice would you like to give to aspiring and young tech leaders?
The advice that guides me most consistently is rooted in curiosity and commitment. Curiosity expands your world. It encourages you to question, explore and imagine possibilities that others may overlook. Commitment gives your curiosity direction. Once you find what energises you, investing in it becomes a form of selfleadership. Young leaders often underestimate the power of passion. Passion removes fear. It creates momentum. It allows you to continue walking even when the journey feels uncertain. Every experience, whether positive or challenging, contributes to your growth. These moments shape you into someone who can understand complexity and lead with confidence.
I also believe deeply in supporting others. Growth strengthens when you elevate people around you. Teams that feel empowered will push boundaries and create meaningful work. Leadership is never about standing alone. It is about helping others rise with you; purpose is expressed through lifting others. “My message is simple. Stay curious. Keep learning. Support others generously. Build your path with intention. And allow your passion to guide you toward work that reflects your values and aspirations.”
“I wanted to be the kind of leader who sees the road ahead with clarity and I created my own clarity through learning.”
What's one life nugget from outside the office that's quietly upgraded how you lead with empathy in tech-driven banking?
A meaningful insight came from supporting young trail runners on mountain paths. Running in nature teaches you something profound. Progress does not come from pushing the pace. It comes from reading the terrain. Each step depends on understanding the landscape and respecting the rhythm of those around you. This philosophy changed how I approach leadership. This perspective also contributed to Syndicate Lab and Alliances, a fintech community based at Cyberport in Hong Kong. The initiative brings together universities, international partners and technology innovators to support young leaders in commercialising their ideas. As one of the committee chairpersons, my goal is to create a community where emerging talent feels understood and supported, rather than pressured.
flects the principles I believe in most. Collaboration, empathy, shared learning and responsible innovation.” Whether the project involves AI, blockchain, fintech, Web3 or sustainability, the priority remains the same: helping young leaders find their own pace and guiding them toward meaningful outcomes. Reading the terrain and understanding people’s pace continues to shape every part of my leadership. This aligns with Syndicate Lab and Alliances’ purpose of lifting communities, attracting like-minded young leaders, supporting aspirations, and igniting global impact in the emerging technologies sector. It is a lesson that strengthened not just how we lead, but why we lead.
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