Christian is the Business Manager and Head of Investment Data Analytics & Solutions (IDSA) for Investment Services Public Markets (ISPM) at GIC. As the department’s Business Manager, he works closely with management and teams across global offices to deliver best-in-class investment services within the public markets domain. He oversees strategic business planning, drives initiatives to transform investment services, and supports key business and strategic matters. As Head of IDSA and his capacity as “AI Ambassador” for ISPM, he works across ISPM and enterprise partners to accelerate AI-led transformation, automate business processes and drive advanced analytics.
Outside of work, Christian recharges by spending quality time with his family, whether it’s travelling during the holidays or staying active at home. Since his eldest child took up cycling, they often frequent Marina Barrage or East Coast Park on weekends. He is also working towards surpassing his half marathon personal best. Beyond these pursuits, Christian is passionate about education. He mentors students through university programmes and occasionally delivers guest lectures at business schools.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
I always perceived GIC as a highly prestigious firm — one with exceptionally high standards, a strong industry reputation, and a strong purpose grounded in long-term vision.
Having lived in Singapore for over a decade and being locally anchored through my family, I’ve continually sought ways to give back — for instance, by mentoring programmes with local universities. In that same spirit, I was looking for ways to contribute to Singapore’s growth professionally.
I began my career in sensor technology in Germany before venturing into financial services after my postgraduate degree. Over the years, my experience in corporate strategy, consulting, and digital performance at global financial services firms has given me a strong understanding of how the industry works and how technology is accelerating transformation. Keen to deepen my expertise and get closer to the markets, I sought a role that leveraged my diverse skillsets. GIC’s global reputation and mission had captured my interest early on, so when the right opportunity appeared, it felt like fate – it ticked all the boxes I was looking for.
My positive perception of GIC not only persisted after joining but has exceeded my expectations in many ways. To highlight three areas:
1. Every colleague is hands-on and helpful, fostering a highly collaborative environment. From day one, team members have taken time to explain business context, and questions are addressed quickly thanks to open communication at all levels. This mutual support helps us to move forward efficiently, even in a large organistion.
2. Prompt and constructive decision-making is key. At GIC, everyone rows in the same direction, driving collaboration and ensuring swift, well‑aligned outcomes for our client.
3. Beyond day-to-day work, I’m continually impressed by GIC’s strong focus on employees and emphasis on continuous learning. From the Global Foundation Programme to a broad range of trainings offered by ‘GIC School’, staff are actively encouraged to pursue development opportunities relevant to their field and given time to do so — something I haven’t experienced elsewhere.
What does your typical workday look like?
My roles span all of ISPM and much of GIC, covering a wide range of topics and liaising with a large scope of functions – so there is rarely a “typical” day.
My mornings start with my two kids waking me up (rendering my alarm useless), followed by school drop-offs and a commute spent catching up on market headlines, listening to podcasts or exploring new AI capabilities. On the way in, I pick up a Kopi C Kosong Peng to kickstart my day and compensate for any sleep lost to parenting. Once in the office, I set aside a few minutes to structure my day and recap my non-negotiables, tackling the most demanding tasks first – be it brainstorming with colleagues, driving initiatives forward or solving complex problems. Lunch is often a time to connect with colleagues and my wider professional networking or squeezing in a short workout.
Afternoons are dedicated to handling ad-hoc BAU matters, managing my inbox and attending meetings. At the end of my day, I review my progress against the non-negotiables before heading home for family dinner and the nightly challenge of convincing my kids (with varying degree of success) to sleep early. I typically wind down with some reading, or a retro video game session.
What do you like most about working here?
Diversity of thought, collaboration and continuous learning.
Important decisions are thoroughly deliberated, with input welcomed from all levels of seniority. It’s humbling to work with exceptionally smart colleagues who bring in fresh and different perspectives. We collectively embrace this process to arrive at the best outcomes for our clients.
Collaboration here is ingrained in the culture. Questions are addressed quickly by bringing the right people together.
Lastly, continuous learning and development are top priorities. Learning is supported by e.g. lunch and learning sessions with industry thought leaders, GIC School trainings, and external programmes or conferences allowing me to keep our knowledge and skills relevant for my role and the broader enterprise and industry direction.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
I’m impressed by GIC’s strong emphasis on continuous learning, which truly reflects the value placed on our people as one of our greatest assets. GIC School offers a wide range of high-quality learning resources and external training programmes, often tailored to departmental needs. GIC also supports individual development by providing resources for employees to pursue learning aligned with their career goals.
Beyond formal training, GIC encourages growth through involvement in strategic initiatives, secondments, geographic mobility, and even short-term immersions in different departments for junior colleagues. This multi-faceted approach creates a solid foundation for ongoing professional development.
What skills or knowledge have you developed while working at GIC?
I’ve had the opportunity to leverage my horizontal skillsets while collaborating across various departments. Coming from the sell-side, this cross-functional engagement has significantly enhanced my understanding of GIC’s overall operating model. My appointment as “AI Ambassador” for ISPM (a role that each department in GIC established to drive AI adoption) has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and allow me to experience first-hand how AI transforms organisations.
What are some highlights in your career thus far?
With the global acceleration of AI, I’ve joined at an exciting point in time which gave me the opportunity to work closely with senior management on shaping our operating model and driving transformation at scale through AI.
What you should know before joining GIC
GIC’s mandate to secure Singapore’s financial future gives our work a unique purpose and responsibility. Here, you can expect to meet smart and outcome-driven colleagues united by our mission. Expect a steep learning curve and a great sense of accomplishment in delivering our client’s mandate. If you’re considering joining, know your unique strengths and always stay true to them. Be confident in what you bring to the table, be ambitious in your goals and remain agile in how you achieve them.