From sales exec to DBS chairman: A look at Peter Seah’s illustrious career
The veteran corporate leader has made many contributions to the banking industry and beyond
Peter Seah Lim Huat, a veteran corporate leader, made significant contributions to the banking industry and beyond. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours). Seah began his career in 1968 as a sales executive at Harper Gilfillan, a British colonial merchant agency house.
He ventured into finance in 1969 when he joined Citibank, eventually becoming the country head in Brunei. His banking career progressed when he joined Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1977, serving as CEO and vice-chairman until 2001. Following OUB's acquisition by UOB in a S$10 billion merger, Seah transitioned to roles in state and industrial governance.
Noteworthy achievements include receiving the Public Service Medal in 1995 for public service contributions, appointment to the board of Sembcorp Industries in 1998, and receiving the Public Service Star in 1999 for chairing the sub-committee on finance and banking. After the UOB-OUB merger, Seah retired from banking and transitioned to senior board and corporate transformation roles, including positions at ST Engineering, Temasek, Lasalle, CapitaLand, and Singapore Health Services (SingHealth).
In 2001, Seah became the president and CEO of Singapore Technologies Group (STPL) and joined the boards of ST Engineering and CapitaLand. He served as Temasek's advisory panel member from 2005 to 2010 and was appointed chairman of Lasalle College of the Arts in 2007, a role he continues to hold. Seah's tenure as chairman of CapitaLand ended in 2013, and he assumed the role of deputy chairman of Singapore Airlines (SIA) in 2015.
In January 2017, he became SIA's chairman. Seah also served as SingHealth's chairman until stepping down in August 2021. Throughout his career, he has been conferred with several honors, including the Distinguished Service Order in 2012, the Distinguished Fellowship from the Institute of Directors, India in 2017, and the Order of Nila Utama (With Distinction) in August 2026.
Currently, Seah serves as the chairman of DBS Group Holdings, DBS Bank, Singapore Airlines (SIA), and Lasalle College of the Arts.
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