Upskilling and workforce transformation are imperative for preserving human ingenuity, autonomy and accountability as we leverage AI, digital and data capabilities to overcome legacy constraints and pioneer next frontiers.
IBF Distinguished Fellow (2026), Technology & Operations
Sharon Khua
Managing Director & Head, Group Shared Services, OCBC
Biography
Sharon Khua is Head of Group Shared Services at OCBC, Singapore's longestestablished local bank and Southeast Asia's second-largest financial services group. With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning banking operations, payments, technology, and enterprise transformation, she oversees mission-critical operations across multiple markets, driving operational resilience, digital innovation, and scalable service excellence.
A recognised industry leader and subject matter expert, Sharon has played a pivotal role in advancing Singapore's payments ecosystem through national-level initiatives, including the pioneering implementation of FAST, PayNow, and eGIRO. Her contributions have supported greater financial inclusion through the onboarding of non-bank financial institutions and real-time wallet-based payment providers, strengthening the accessibility, interoperability, and competitiveness of Singapore's digital payments landscape.
Sharon is known for successfully bridging operations, technology, governance, and risk management to deliver transformative outcomes. She has championed AI-enabled workforce transformation, Purpose Bound Money initiatives, and Singapore's CBDC developments, while leading large-scale innovation programmes that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and organisational resilience. Equally passionate about developing future talent, she actively mentors emerging leaders and promotes workforce upskilling, succession planning, and lifelong learning across the financial sector.
Beyond OCBC, Sharon serves as Chair of the Association of Banks in Singapore's Common Connectivity Platform Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Single Operator Oversight Committee, helping safeguard systemically important national payments infrastructure and strengthen industry-wide resilience. Effective October 2026, she will join the SWIFT Council, a testament to her leadership, industry influence, and significant contributions to advancing the future of financial services in Singapore, the ASEAN region, and beyond.