Desmond Goh

Leadership Development/Training & Competency/Coaching

Asia/Singapore (UTC+8)

English, Chinese

Desmond Goh

Leadership Development/Training & Competency/Coaching

Asia/Singapore (UTC+8)

English, Chinese

About

After more than two decades in financial services, and most recently, serving as Head of Leadership Development at AIA Singapore, I’m now stepping into the next chapter of my journey, fully dedicating my time and energy to developing aspiring leaders and advancing my mission in leadership coaching. Throughout my career, whether as a practitioner, agency leader, or corporate executive, one thing has remained constant: my passion for unlocking human potential. From designing learning ecosystems to coaching leaders across Asia, I’ve seen how the right guidance can spark confidence, clarity, and real transformation. At AIA, I led: ✔️ The design and implementation of a company-wide leadership development roadmap ✔️ A reimagined leadership journey — condensing a 12-month program into a focused, high-impact 4-month experience ✔️ Efforts that strengthened agency pipelines, improved promotion rates, and deepened leadership bench strength Prior to that, I built training frameworks at Synergy Financial Advisers and expanded onboarding and coaching programs regionally at St. James’s Place. My approach blends structure with empathy, strategy with heart. As I transition out of my corporate role, I’m deepening my impact through: 1. One-on-one and group coaching for aspiring and emerging leaders 2. Leadership program design tailored for culture, performance, and growth 3. Speaking, facilitation, and consulting on leadership development and performance enablement I’m proud to be a licensed trainer for the John C. Maxwell Leadership Program, adding to my toolkit of internationally recognized leadership methodologies and coaching strategies, alongside my ICF-certified Performance Leadership Coach credentials. If you’re looking to develop future-ready leaders or elevate your organization’s leadership culture, I’d love to connect.

Key Skills

Experience

Head, Leadership Development | AIA Singapore

May 2023 - May 2025

• Promoted to Head of Leadership Development within six months, leading the creation and implementation of a comprehensive leadership development roadmap for Agency Leaders at various stages of their leadership journey. • Streamlined a 12-month aspiring leaders’ program into a more efficient and engaging 4-month curriculum, significantly improving retention rates and leadership outcomes. • Partnered with internal and external stakeholders to develop initiatives that support the company’s vision of leadership excellence, resulting in increased promotion rates and stronger agency leadership. • Promoted Chartered Insurance Agency Manager (CIAM) courses, setting the industry benchmark for agency leaders’ management excellence. • Managed a leadership development budget, optimizing resources to maximize program effectiveness.

Partnership Development Manager | St. James's Place Wealth Management – Asia

Mar 2019 - Apr 2023

• Developed and launched a new adviser induction program that smoothed the transition for new advisers into the business, which was adopted in regional offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. • Identified competency gaps in existing advisers and initiated a performance improvement plan through targeted weekly coaching sessions, leading to increased sales productivity and knowledge mastery. • Coached and mentored partners to improve personal branding and referral networks, enhancing their visibility and client base.

Head, Training & Competency | Synergy Financial Advisers Pte Ltd

Nov 2013 - Feb 2019

• Spearheaded the development of Training & Competency systems and led the design of the company’s online Learning Management System (LMS) to ensure advisers met regulatory compliance and competency requirements. • Created and delivered an agency leadership program for new and existing leaders, enhancing their management capabilities and contributing to higher retention rates and improved sales performance. • Worked closely with senior leadership to ensure training programs aligned with business goals, driving a culture of continuous learning and performance improvement.

Financial Services Director | AIA Singapore

Nov 2010 - Nov 2013

• Established and led an agency focused on Corporate Solutions, Employee Benefits, and Estate Planning services for Mass Affluent and High-Net-Worth clients. • Key presenter for financial workshops and estate planning seminars for corporate clients, improving client engagement and establishing AIA as a trusted partner in employee benefits and financial planning. • Drove worksite marketing campaigns, including health-screening programs, lunch talks, and health bazaars, significantly increasing client acquisition and brand visibility.