Someone made a S$18,900 bid at charity auction to dine with DBS CEO Tan Su Shan

The winning bidder at a charity auction paid S$18,900 for the chance to dine with Tan Su Shan, chief executive of DBS Group Holdings.

The winning bid was more than double the pre-sale estimate of S$6,000 to S$8,000.

Bloomberg reported that a Sotheby’s spokesperson declined to provide any details, such as the identity of the winning bidder.

Rare auction bid

The auction, conducted by Sotheby’s, was part of National Gallery Singapore’s 2025 auction.

It is considered a rare instance of a fundraiser in Asia featuring a leading corporate executive.

The successful bidder will join a six-person meal and go on a private tour at the art museum with Tan and her husband.

Sotheby’s website described the dinner as ideal for someone “seeking inspiration, connection, and a seat at the table with one of Singapore’s most esteemed figures”.

It was also touted as an event that “promises stimulating conversation and exceptional company”.

The gallery’s 2025 auction raised a record of more than S$2.8 million to support initiatives.

Who is she?

Tan, 58, was a former private banker.

In March 2025, she succeeded Piyush Gupta after his 15-year tenure to become the first woman to lead Singapore’s largest lender.

She joined DBS in 2010.

She was previously at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup.

DBS crossed the US$100 billion (S$128 billion) market value in June 2025, making it the first listed company in Singapore to reach the milestone.

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