Celine Le Cotonnec, Chief Data and Innovation Officer, Bank of Singapore
Bank of Singapore, the private banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), Southeast Asia’s second-largest bank, serves high-net-worth individuals and families across Southeast Asia, Greater China, Dubai, and Europe. Established in 2010 following OCBC’s acquisition of ING Asia Private Bank, it expanded further in 2016 with the acquisition of Barclays’ wealth and investment management business in Singapore and Hong Kong. With a strong focus on generational wealth transfer, the bank combines innovation with personalized services.
Before joining Bank of Singapore, Céline Le Cotonnec held leadership roles at AXA Insurance Singapore and PSA Peugeot Citroën, specializing in data-driven innovation and connected car technologies.
What triggered your interest in French Tech?
I have always been deeply passionate about emerging technologies. My professional journey began with a role in Information and Communication Technologies at the French Consulate in Shanghai, followed by a career in data analytics and AI for French corporates. In 2015, I had the privilege of being part of the founding team that established the Shanghai Chapter of La French Tech. Since then, I have maintained a strong connection with La French Tech and its dynamic ecosystem. I firmly believe in the immense global potential of French startups and actively contribute, within my capacity, to supporting their expansion across ASEAN markets.
The achievement you’re most proud of?
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of building numerous teams from the ground up, often in roles that were initially undefined, giving me the freedom to design strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
At Peugeot Citroën, we introduced innovative services tailored to the Chinese market in collaboration with Baidu and Alibaba. These initiatives included integrating Alipay into vehicles and creating a pioneering ecosystem—developed in partnership with other car manufacturers—to retain ownership of connected car data through the SDK Car Easy Apps. Although this solution was developed in a European R&D center, its rollout in Western markets faced challenges due to the dominance of Google and Apple, whose platforms disrupted automakers’ ability to capitalize on connected car data. As a result, China became the ideal testing ground for launching this cutting-edge technology.
Your wildest career goal?
Looking ahead, I am deeply interested in the ethical implications of AI and the evolving regulations being shaped by governments worldwide. I have been collaborating with think tanks and policymakers to contribute to the development of an initial framework for AI governance.
In the future, I aspire to play a role in shaping a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework that safeguards both individuals and businesses from emerging risks while fostering responsible AI adoption within organizations. Striking the right balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring ethical, accountable AI deployment is, in my view, essential for sustainable progress.
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
Throughout my career, I’ve learned the importance of patience in driving meaningful change, the power of clear and consistent communication to ensure ideas resonate, and the value of resilience and self-belief—especially as a woman navigating male-dominated industries. These lessons have shaped my leadership approach and strengthened my commitment to fostering inclusive environments that celebrate diverse perspectives.
The advice I always give to women—and apply to myself—is to be bold. Don’t be afraid to ask for the job you dream of, the promotion you deserve, or to take the lead on a project you know you can deliver, even if you don’t currently possess 100% of the required skill set. We’re all too familiar with imposter syndrome—that nagging feeling that we’re not good enough or that we’ll be exposed as a fraud. But it’s crucial to push past those doubts.
Three women from French Tech who inspire you ?
Throughout my career, I have been deeply inspired by several remarkable women who have shaped my leadership style:
• Brigitte Courtehoux (CEO, Free2Move; EVP, Stellantis) – A trailblazer in the automotive industry, she built the Connected Mobility unit from scratch, demonstrating strategic brilliance, resilience, and leadership in a male-dominated field.
• Doina Palici-Chehab (former CEO, AXA Singapore) – A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, she taught me the value of balancing executive leadership with motherhood. Her wisdom—prioritizing family when needed without guilt—led me to embrace a #FamilyFirst culture within my own team.
• Jana Marlé-Zizkova (Founder, She Loves Data & Meiro) – An inspiring entrepreneur who launched her startup at 40 while driving a global movement that has empowered over 16,000 women with tech and data skills, proving that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself.
These women have instilled in me the power of resilience, empathy, and lifting others up—values that continue to shape my career and leadership approach.
If you’d like to contact Céline Le Cotonnec, you can find her on LinkedIn.
Get in touch with us @ womenfrenchtech at gmail dot com
Lead by Amel Rigneau & Romeo Aguilar Bernard
