In an era of fragmentation, chief compliance officers redefine governance as a growth engine. These executives are using new technology to manage risks, developing standards for digital currencies, and creating ethical guidelines. They are turning regulatory challenges into business advantages, showing that strong compliance practices help companies withstand market uncertainty.
As global tensions increase, regulations change, and AI transforms business, chief compliance officers now do more than enforce rules; they help build stronger companies. These leaders integrate risk management into their growth strategies and incorporate ethical considerations into business decisions across different industries. Whether in banking, technology, luxury goods, or digital currencies, they share one belief: honest business practices give companies an edge when markets are unstable.
This year, Asian Legal Business examines how outstanding compliance practitioners are navigating transformative shifts in technology, cybersecurity, data privacy, and environmental governance to meet increasingly complex regulatory demands in an interconnected world.
Chuan Lim Ang is steering regulatory strategy for CIMB Singapore with unique perspective, drawing from over 20 years spanning Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) policy leadership—where he supervised markets and clearing houses—and private-sector innovation as Binance’s group head of regulatory compliance. His experience at Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank allows him to take a holistic approach to financial crime prevention, turning regulatory volatility into opportunities.
Wendy Chan embodies this duality at Chanel APAC, where she built the compliance function from the ground up. By embedding Anti-Bribery and Ethics frameworks across 12 luxury markets while chairing the Supplier Risk Committee, Chan advances ethical sourcing through rigorous due diligence. She demonstrates that compliance safeguards brand value while enabling market expansion.
Debbie Chau engineers integrity for McDonald’s unique franchise ecosystem across 38 countries. Her pioneering engagement program transforms developmental licensees into self-regulating partners through anonymised case studies derived from internal investigations, striking the delicate balance between local autonomy and global standards that fuels the brand’s growth.
In the realm of digital assets, Glen Chee bridges traditional finance rigour with crypto innovation at Coinhako. An IBF-certified anti-money laundering (AML) expert, his leadership in scam prevention earned the Singapore Police Force’s 2024 Outstanding Community Award, while his own recognition as the ALB Pan Asian Regulatory Awards’ Compliance Officer of the Year underscores how compliance anchors trust in volatile markets. His prior wealth management and legal compliance roles at DWF ground technological disruption in regulatory reality.
John Chung deploys AI as a predictive shield at Intel Corporation. His compliance risk intelligence system has achieved significant cost savings through early risk detection, while strategic alignment of controls with commercial priorities unlocked Asian market growth. The procurement order anomaly detection AI exemplifies his core philosophy: prevention supersedes penalty.
Samuel Huen orchestrates the Bank of Singapore’s multinational legal and compliance team across five financial hubs. By embedding risk management preemptively into initiatives, he secured victories in high-stakes disputes at Singapore’s Financial Industry Disputes Centre and spearheaded complex cross-border recoveries—from international loan restructurings to offshore property foreclosures—proving that proactive governance protects value.
Navigating Southeast Asia’s regulatory mosaic, Joel Pang harmonises Razorpay’s licensing strategy through his “360 Program,” aligning fragmented jurisdictional requirements with group policies. His simultaneous balancing of go-to-market urgency with regulatory negotiations—while ensuring pre-license activities comply locally—has elevated the firm’s standing through transparent dialogue with authorities.
Rayson Tan shapes industry standards as HSBC Singapore’s compliance head, leveraging his IBF Fellowship and ACAMS Singapore Chapter directorship to mentor next-generation practitioners. His faculty role at the Wealth Management Institute cements a legacy in AML/CFT mastery honed since earning his CAMS certification in 2006—a testament to enduring expertise in evolving financial landscapes.
Ekta Singh champions fintech compliance at Rapyd through coalitions like the Singapore Fintech Association and Global Digital Finance. Her training programs at RHT Academy and Fintelekt demystify fraud management and risk assessment, channelling a decade of field experience—from financial advising to compliance leadership—into frameworks that secure digital innovation.
Glenn Seah fortifies Singapore Exchange’s market integrity as executive management committee advisor. His SGX tenure across surveillance, enforcement, and CEO advisory roles—coupled with Harvard Advanced Management Program credentials—informs a distinctive blend of regulatory pragmatism and strategic governance that underpins market confidence.
Li Chian See drives Blackstone’s APAC compliance through relentless, proactive engagement. Market-specific risk assessments, tailored staff training, and uncompromising due diligence—vetting investor wealth sources and partner reputations—align the world’s largest alternative asset manager with the complexities of 50+ jurisdictions while safeguarding its formidable growth trajectory.
At Fractal, Prateek Sharma merges intellectual property stewardship with M&A strategy. His oversight of patent portfolios and high-value contract negotiations ensures innovation protection, while due diligence rigour in acquisitions enables seamless integrations—demonstrating how legal acumen accelerates rather than hinders commercial ambition.
Barbara Tsai rebuilt stakeholder trust across Microsoft Asia through data-driven compliance committees. By anonymising insights from internal investigations into actionable training tools, she fosters proactive self-governance while navigating the tightrope of multi-jurisdictional escalations—exercising surgical judgment on privilege and disclosure that balances regional and U.S. regulatory imperatives.
Robert MacDonald navigates Bybit’s crypto complexities through regulatory diplomacy shaped by his U.K. Ministry of Justice background. His engagement with FATF’s Virtual Asset Contact Group addresses classification inconsistencies, positioning principled compliance as the foundation for sustainable growth amid regulatory fragmentation.
Malcolm Wright cements his legacy at OKX by co-creating the IVMS101 data standard—the “MT103 equivalent for crypto”—that enabled global adoption of FATF’s Travel Rule. As Chair of the International Compliance Association’s Global Practitioners Advisory Board, he translates regulatory dialogues into industry-wide best practices through initiatives like the GDF AML Working Group and VASP Due Diligence Questionnaire.
These leaders show that strong ethics support business growth. Lim works across different sectors, Chan integrates compliance into brand strategy, Wright develops technical standards, and Tsai builds systems based on trust. They demonstrate a common approach: in divided markets, addressing regulations early turns challenges into business advantages. Their work shows that good governance isn’t a limitation but helps companies grow stronger, combining honest practices with new ideas.