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The partnership will equip 100 senior leaders to attain ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation by 2027, as part of OCBC’s broader efforts to build a skills-first workplace.
OCBC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Singapore, marking the first strategic partnership between the coaching body and a financial institution in Singapore.
As part of this collaboration, 100 senior leaders will work towards achieving the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation by 2027. The accreditation requires 60 hours of coaching education, 100 hours of practice, and 10 hours of mentor coaching with a credentialed coach.
Beyond certification, the partnership aims to embed coaching more deeply into the organisation, with OCBC and ICF co-developing workshops, sharing insights, and creating a community that fosters ongoing growth and development.
Lee Hwee Boon, Head of Group Human Resources, OCBC, commented: "As organisations continue to navigate transformation and disruption, coaching has emerged as a vital driver of growth through the offering of personalised support that helps individuals and teams adapt with agility.
"It empowers our employees to manage transitions confidently and take ownership of change."
"At the same time, senior leaders are inspired to lead with purpose, deepen engagement, and give back through coaching, and in doing so foster a culture of support and shared growth that strengthens OCBC from within."
Lisa Yeoh, President, ICF Singapore, added: "This collaboration signals a strong commitment to embedding coaching into the fabric of the organisation, and fostering a culture of leadership that is agile, resilient and people-centred.
"By advancing coaching excellence together, we hope this inspires more organisations in Singapore to embrace the power of coaching and be future-ready.”
Since September 2023, 52 senior leaders have begun their coaching journey, with nearly 300 employees already benefiting from sessions led by OCBC’s internal coaches to support their personal and professional growth.
The event, which was attended by HRO, also featured a fireside chat with Helen Wong, Group CEO of OCBC, and Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, who shared candid reflections on career health, leadership, and lifelong learning.
Minister Tan spoke about his unconventional career path, noting that politics was never part of his original plan. Instead, it was a series of small, unplanned steps that led him there.
He encouraged the audience to "always have an open mind", embrace self-discovery, and build strong networks.
"You never really know the endgame — it’s about the journey. When you look back, the path may seem uncertain or even meaningless at times, but with faith, hope, and optimism, the dots will eventually connect."
On leadership, Wong highlighted the importance of curiosity and continuous learning.
"Learning is a wide word — it’s not just about acquiring knowledge, but about learning how to be better as a person and as a leader."
Networking, communication, and reflection, she added, were key ways she reinforced her own growth.
The conversation also touched on how different generations can prepare for the future of work. Minister Tan outlined the "life cycle" approach, from pre-employment training in schools to continuing education and mid-career reskilling, supported by tripartite partners and national initiatives like SkillsFuture.
He stressed that change is accelerating, and AI will be a catalyst to help individuals reimagine their career trajectories. Early adopters, he said, could serve as positive role models to encourage others to embrace new opportunities.
Both speakers closed with words of encouragement. Helen urged the audience to overcome fear by recognising and building their options: "Learning has no boundaries."
Minister Tan echoed this spirit of optimism: "Life is a journey with ups and downs. Even in the toughest times, there are lessons to be learned — and at the end, there will always be light. Enjoy the journey, come what may."
Lead image / OCBC
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