SINGAPORE - A panel comprising Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, has named DBS executive Neal Cross as the world's most disruptive chief innovation officer (CIO)/ chief technology officer (CTO).

In the "Talent Unleashed" competition, which recognises exceptional individuals and organisations who are unleashing technology in the workplace and community, Mr Cross topped competitors from across UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The judging panel was impressed with Mr Cross' "authenticity in catalysing innovation, enabling it to permeate the organisation, as well as his down-to-earth and practical approach in helping to roll out innovation across the bank", DBS said in an media release on Tuesday (Aug 30).

DBS has won other accolades in technological innovation, most recently being named "World's Best Digital Bank" at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.

Said Mr Gupta: "At DBS, we have spent the last three years intently pursuing a digital agenda. At the heart of this is our belief that with the rapid changes upon our industry, we need to transform the bank, and to turn it into a 22,000-person fintech.

"To be globally recognised at an organisational level by Euromoney, and now again as having the most disruptive CIO, is validation that our digital transformation is seen as being among the best in the world."

Talent Unleashed was launched in 2013 by Talent, a global technology recruitment and IT services company.

Mr Wozniak, who led the judging panel, said: "The Talent Unleashed awards represent people who have had ideas, started companies and created products that either do good for society, help people or give us more in our life."