A private dining experience with Tan Su Shan, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of DBS Group, sold for 18,900 Singapore dollars (approximately US$14,790) at a Sotheby's auction this past Saturday. The winning bid for the exclusive evening surpassed its pre-sale estimate by more than double.

The auction lot, featured at the National Gallery Singapore's 10th-anniversary gala, included pre-dinner champagne, a private six-person dinner hosted by Tan, and a curated tour of the Gallery. The museum is housed within two of the city-state's historic national monuments. Sotheby's described the offering as "ideal for the discerning bidder seeking inspiration, connection, and a seat at the table with one of Singapore’s most esteemed figures."

A DBS spokesperson stated that Tan's participation extended the bank's long-standing philanthropic support for the Gallery, of which DBS is a founding partner.

A Leader's Profile and Market Impact
Tan, who assumed leadership of Southeast Asia's largest bank in March, possesses over 35 years of experience in banking and wealth management. Since her landmark appointment as the bank's first female CEO, DBS shares have appreciated by over 10%, signaling robust market confidence.

The Landscape of High-Value Charity Experiences
Auctioning access to top-tier executives for charity is an established practice among elite philanthropic circles. Notable precedents include a 2022 dinner with Warren Buffett that sold for over $19 million. The recent gala, managed by Sotheby's, successfully raised over SG$2.8 million through the sale of nearly 90 unique lots, including an artwork that set a new auction record for the Gallery.

Proceeds are dedicated to advancing the Gallery's mission of enhancing art accessibility for all communities through exhibitions, research, and outreach programs.