Aspiration: champion of financial inclusion and sustainable finance
As the largest commercial bank that focuses on serving micro, ultra micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia, Bank BRI plays an important role in increasing financial inclusion and literacy in Indonesia. Financial inclusion and literacy have been becoming increasingly important as they can deliver advantages. These include reducing shadow banking and irresponsible finance, contributing to sustainable local and national economic growth, reducing inequality and low-income trap rigidity, thus ameliorating public prosperity and ultimately alleviating poverty.
The boards of Bank BRI group are charged with what some consider a sacred duty of ensuring this state-owned enterprise institution is run ethically, profitably, sustainably and with all stakeholders in mind.
Accelerating knowledge acquisition
With that in mind, as a bank executive and former CEO of the digital bank owned by Bank BRI Group, we’re always reminded by our group CEO to accelerate our bank’s culture and digital transformation through benchmarking with the best institutions across the world. With great assistance from BRI Corporate University, which recommended the Bank Governance Programme at Saïd Business School, I was thrilled to be accepted into the 2023 cohort.
Digital disruption, future bank governance and climate risk management
My experience at Saïd Business School while attending the programme was truly unforgettable. I learnt so much from the world-renowned faculty and had the opportunity to network with 42 executives from the banking, legal and financial services sectors. These participants represented 28 nationalities from all major regions of the world: the UK and Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, Russia, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand - and even as far as Haiti and Papua New Guinea.
The programme was rigorous, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I really enjoyed the discussion, especially about climate risk management, financing the energy transition, and obviously the digital disruption and future of banking with Professor Pinar Ozcan. These sessions provided us with valuable insights that are relevant to our transformation initiatives in Indonesia, especially in accelerating retail awareness of carbon emission reduction. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have studied future bank governance and sustainable finance at Oxford, and I know that the knowledge and skills I gained will serve me well in my endeavour in our organisation.
On the last day of our studies, the graduation ceremony of the 2023 cohort was delightful. I was so lucky that my wife and my daughter could join me together in front of the class to receive the certificates handed by Professor Amir Amel Zadeh and Professor Kern Alexander. This really boosted my confidence to strive for the best and contribute more to my organisation, its customers and the financial industry.
Collective genius
I am extremely fortunate to have a cohort of well-seasoned board directors and executives in the class from a variety of banking institutions, insurance and other financial institutions including small and large, emerging markets and developed, and small and large economies. They have been an invaluable resource for exchanging frameworks, inspiration and advice since the programme began.
I would highly recommend the Oxford Bank Governance Programme to anyone who is interested in amplifying and taking to the next level of governance for their board in the banking industry. This programme truly unlocked collective genius from me and its participants to come together and create something that is greater than the sum of their individual parts.
