Mox sees CEO change as Deniz Guven steps down and Barbaros Uygun takes over

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Deniz Güven will be stepping down as the CEO of Mox. Güven (pictured left) said in a LinkedIn post that the decision was a tough one for him and he is “incredibly proud of the many innovative and frictionless services the brand has launched” in “transforming the banking experience in Hong Kong”.

“We have had our share of ups and downs like any digital start-up, but this has been a wonderful roller coaster ride, and I am so proud to have had this experience with my team,” he added. Replacing him will be Barbaros Uygun, a global leader in the digital and banking space who has worked with the likes of ING Bank and Garanti Bank in digital banking capacities.

Mox, in a press statement, said Güven will step down as CEO of Mox and executive director of the board, with effect from 27 September 2021, to pursue a new business venture. He will serve as a special advisor to Standard Chartered on a number of important digital initiatives.

It added that Uygun (pictured right) is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in digital banking and transformation, bringing over 24 years of banking experience spanning business management and strategy, marketing, product development and digital transformation.

He was previously the CEO of ING Bank Austria, where he transformed the bank from one that was predominantly focused on savings into a full-service digital bank. Prior to this position, Uygun held various leadership positions in ING Bank and Garanti Bank BBVA. He successfully transformed and digitalised the retail business of ING Bank in Turkey, delivering sustainable profitability and materially growing its profit base. Uygun also led the establishment of a full-service digital bank within Garanti Bank BBVA, which resulted in an exponential growth in its customer base.

Mary Huen, chairperson of Mox, said: “Mox continues to grow significantly as we move forward on our journey. I am delighted that Uygun, a proven leader with a track record in digital banks, will be joining us. He brings substantial experience and skills in digital banking and financial services to drive Mox’s next growth phase.”

“Güven has made an immense contribution, building Mox from the ground up. Under his leadership, Mox has secured our virtual banking licence, launched multiple innovative services, won the heart share of over 170,000 customers and become one of the highest-rated financial apps in Hong Kong.”

Barbaros Uygun said: “Güven and the team have built Mox into one of the most amazing digital banks around the world. I look forward to working with Mary, the Board, our JV partners and all Mox staff to take Mox to the next level and continue to win the trust and hearts of our customers.”

Güven said: “It’s been a privilege to build Mox. I want to thank our customers, regulators, Moxsters, and the Board for their continued support over the past three-plus years, and I will remain connected with Standard Chartered. I am delighted that a banker of Barbaros’s calibre will lead Mox in its next chapter of growth.”

Most recently, Mox Bank appointed Haymans Fung as chief customer officer, effective from 4 August 2021. Fung replaced Peony Wu, who joined Accenture Interactive as managing director, marketing advisory lead for Greater China. Boasting more than 19 years of experience in building close connections between brands and customers, Fung believes in combining data with insights, using technology and creativity to create compelling customer propositions and brands.

Prior to joining Mox, she spent nine years at Sun Life and AIA, focusing on making insurance services relevant and meaningful to the community. The first decade of her career was in advertising, working for global agencies such as Leo Burnett and Publicis, where she devised many marketing campaigns for global brands.

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