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Nominate your peer leaders so they may join the ranks of the top CEOs, Board Directors, CIOs and AI champions, for the Asia Digital Leaders Award

About
the
Awards

Continuing to honour the outstanding achievements and trailblazing contributions of CEOs, business leaders, and technology visionaries shaping Southeast Asia’s digital transformation landscape.

Building on the success of the previous edition. The 2025 awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have taken bold steps into the new Intelligent age, demonstrating a strong track record of innovation, operational excellence, ecosystem, and inspiring leadership in their respective fields.

Awards to Recognise Business & Tech Practitioners

Digital CEO of the Year

Inspiring Board Leader of the Year

Innovative Business Leader of the Year

Transformational CIO of the Year

Future Ready CISO of the Year

Data & AI Excellence Leader of the Year

Digital CEO of the Year

Inspiring Board Leader of the Year

Innovative Business Leader of the Year

Transformational CIO of the Year

Future Ready CISO of the Year

Data & AI Excellence Leader of the Year

Click on each category below to read description and criteria

Digital CEO of the Year

About this Award Category 

Recognises CEOs who exemplify visionary digital leadership, championing digital transformation as a fundamental driver of long-term business growth. The recipient of this award is a strategic leader who not only paves the way for new business models, and elevates the digital capabilities of their industry ecosystem.

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chief Executive Officer, Regional CEO, Managing Director, or equivalent senior-most business leader in the organisation within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Sets a bold and clear digital vision that aligns with core business objectives.
  • Champions enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, from workforce enablement to customer engagement and operational efficiency.
  • Leads by example in driving a culture of agility, innovation, and digital accountability.
  • Balances short-term delivery with long-term technology investment and capability building.
  • Demonstrates market influence, thought leadership, and an ability to shape digital strategy at industry or national levels.

About this Award Category

Recognises board members who have played an influential role in steering their organisation toward successful business transformation in the digital world,. The recipient of this award is a forward-looking leader who applies well-balanced risk management strategies for their organisations to thrive both online and offline.

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chairperson of the Board, Independent/ Non-Executive Director, Lead Board Member with a remit over digital, technology, or transformation within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Provides strategic oversight and direction in shaping the company’s digital and innovation agenda.
  • Encourages alignment between the C-suite and board on long-term technology investments and priorities.
  • Promotes responsible digital governance, including cybersecurity, ESG-aligned tech practices, and compliance.
  • Acts as a catalyst for organisational agility and resilience in navigating disruption.
  • Supports board education and digital upskilling to enhance decision-making in the digital era.

About this Award Category

Recognises business leaders (COOs, CFOs, CHROs, CROs, etc.) in various fields of operational excellence, who have successfully transformed their functions through the innovative use of digital technologies. The recipient of this award is a leader who has successfully unlocked exponential gains in business operations by strategically re-engineering processes, adopted data-driven decision-making, and innovative operating models.

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chief Operating Officer, Head of Operations, or similar senior role overseeing core business functions and process execution within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Introduces and adopts cutting edge technology such as AI, automation, and cloud to enhance business processes or customer experience.
  • Collaborates effectively across functions to leverage key technologies to achieve strategic business outcomes
  • Demonstrates a future-ready vision and the ability to utilise diverse tech capabilities in response to evolving demands.

About this Award Category

Recognises Chief Information Officers who have led innovation journeys in their organisations and achieved game-changing business outcomes through the creative use of digital capabilities. The recipient of this award is a key architect to build organisational readiness for new intelligent digital frontiers

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Head of IT or Digital Infrastructure or similar technology leadership roles (director level and above) within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Reimagines operational workflows and structures using digital tools, automation, and advanced analytics.
  • Implements process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or accelerate speed-to-market.
  • Champions collaboration between technology and business units to realise operational synergy.
  • Aligns transformation with organisational culture, talent readiness, and long-term business strategy.
  • Demonstrates measurable impact through productivity, service excellence, or risk mitigation.

About this Award Category

Recognises a Chief Information Security Officer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership to empower innovation and growth while staying resilient against the evolving cyber threat landscape. It honours a forward-thinking security leader who balances risk, trust, and agility in an ever expanding digital world.

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chief Information Security Officer, Head of Cybersecurity, or equivalent security leadership role within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Designs and delivers enterprise security strategies aligned with business and regulatory priorities.
  • Leads in the integration of cybersecurity into digital transformation efforts, cloud adoption, and IT modernisation.
  • Builds a culture of security awareness and resilience across all levels of the organisation.
  • Ensures proactive risk identification, incident response capability, and compliance readiness.
  • Engages with industry, government, or community to advance cybersecurity knowledge-sharing and standards.

About this Award Category

Recognises leaders who have harnessed the power of data and artificial intelligence to drive transformative business impact and innovation. The recipient of this award is a trailblazer who has elevated data and AI as strategic assets, enabling smarter decision-making, operational excellence, and new sources of value across their organisation.

Nomination Guide & Criteria

  • This individual currently holds the job title of Chief Data Officer, Head of Data & AI, Chief Analytics Officer, or an equivalent senior leadership role with responsibility for data and AI strategy within any part of the Asia Pacific region, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan & India.
  • To qualify for the award, this individual must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities listed, or completed relevant initiatives that infer the same. Check one or more of the options below; you may provide supplementary materials or list qualities and initiatives that may not have been covered in the options below.


The nominee should demonstrate one or more of the following qualities from the options below. You may provide supplementary materials to support the nomination.

  • Leads the design and execution of enterprise-wide data and AI strategies that have delivered measurable business impact, such as new revenue streams, improved customer experience, or operational efficiencies.
  • Establishes robust data governance, quality, and stewardship practices, ensuring data is accessible, trusted, and leveraged for decision-making at all levels of the organisation.
  • Drives the adoption of advanced analytics, machine learning, or AI solutions to solve complex business challenges, unlock new opportunities, or create competitive advantage.
  • Promotes data literacy, ethical AI practices, and cross-functional collaboration to embed data and AI into the organisation’s DNA, empowering teams to innovate and make informed decisions.
  • Shares expertise and thought leadership within the wider business or technology ecosystem, contributing to the advancement of data and AI best practices across the industry.

Digital CEO of the Year • Recognises CEOs who exemplify visionary digital leadership, championing digital transformation as a fundamental driver of long-term business growth. The recipient of this award is a strategic leader who not only paves the way for new business models, and elevates the digital capabilities of their industry ecosystem.

Inspiring Board Leader of the Year • Recognises board members who have played an influential role in steering their organisation toward successful business transformation in the digital world,. The recipient of this award is a forward-looking leader who applies well-balanced risk management strategies for their organisations to thrive both online and offline.

Innovative Business Leader of the Year • Recognises business leaders (COOs, CFOs, CHROs, CROs, etc.) in various fields of operational excellence, who have successfully transformed their functions through the innovative use of digital technologies. The recipient of this award is a leader who has successfully unlocked exponential gains in business operations by strategically re-engineering processes, adopted data-driven decision-making, and innovative operating models.

Transformational CIO of the Year • Recognises Chief Information Officers who have led innovation journeys in their organisations and achieved game-changing business outcomes through the creative use of digital capabilities. The recipient of this award is a key architect to build organisational readiness for new intelligent digital frontiers

Future Ready CISO of the Year • Recognises a Chief Information Security Officer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership to empower innovation and growth while staying resilient against the evolving cyber threat landscape. It honours a forward-thinking security leader who balances risk, trust, and agility in an ever expanding digital world.

Data & AI Excellence Leader of the Year • Recognises leaders who have harnessed the power of data and artificial intelligence to drive transformative business impact and innovation. The recipient of this award is a trailblazer who has elevated data and AI as strategic assets, enabling smarter decision-making, operational excellence, and new sources of value across their organisation.

Qualification & Ranking Criteria for Awards Nominations

  • Number of nominations received for the same category
  • Substantiation of specific digital transformation projects to support the nomination
  • Provide empirical evidence of key contributions and/or specific business outcomes achieved by the individual

Important Dates

NOMINATION DEADLINE

  • 5 July 2025 – new date! (for nominees in Singapore)


AWARD CEREMONY DATE

  • 3 September 2025 | Singapore

Judging Panel

SINGAPORE JUDGES

asia200_judges-05
DENNIS LUI
 Chief Executive,
VITAL (Ministry of Finance)
asia200_judges-01
NG HOCK KEONG
Deputy Chief Executive Officer,
(ICT & Digital Services),
CPF Board
asia200_judges-07
CATHERINE LEE
Independent Director, 
Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT)
asia200_judges-03
DIVYESH VITHLANI
Group Chief Transformation Officer,
Standard Chartered Bank

MALAYSIA JUDGES

ASIA200_logo-21
MALIK MURAD ALI
Director of IT, Digital, HR and LPS,
MYDIN Malaysia
ASIA200_logo-22
DR SEKAR JAGANATHAN
Chief Business Officer,
Kenanga Group
ASIA200_logo-23
DATO DR AMIRUDIN ABDUL WAHAB
Chief Executive Officer,
CyberSecurity Malaysia
NOMINATE NOW

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers​

The Asia Digital Leaders Award, organised by SPARK, recognises outstanding achievements and trailblazing contributions of CEOs, business leaders, and technology visionaries who are shaping Southeast Asia’s digital transformation landscape. The 2025 edition will honour individuals and organisations that have achieved innovation breakthroughs and successful business transformation with strong digital leadership.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations, peers, colleagues, or sponsors. Individuals may nominate themselves or others for one or more award categories. Nominees, however, must be individuals from end-user organisations, nominees from technology software providers, service providers and technology distributors will not be accepted.

The 2025 awards feature SIX categories:
– Digital CEO of the Year
– Inspiring Board Leader of the Year
– Innovative Business Leader of the Year
– Transformational CIO of the Year
– Future Ready CISO of the Year
– Data & AI Excellence Leader of the Year

The nominations will close on 30th June 2025. Extended to 5 July 2025

Yes, self-nominations are accepted for all categories.

Nominations should include:
– A completed nomination form
– Supplementary materials to substantiate claims (optional but encouraged), sent in PDF format with the name of Nominator and Nominee to community@wahspark.com

Yes, you may submit nominations for multiple individuals and in multiple categories. Each nomination should be submitted separately.

For self-nominations, it is encouraged to get your peers or colleagues to submit nominations for you to present different perspectives which can strengthen your submission.

Shortlisted nominees will be notified via email to attend the official gala dinner and awards ceremony. The awards will be presented on ceremony date in respective countries.

The award winners (for Singapore) will be announced to the public on our official website (wahspark.com), a day after the private awards ceremony held in September 2025.

This will apply to the other countries, whereby public announcements are made the day after the ceremony.

We will seek the permission of all award winners to showcase their profile photos, name, title and organisation as award winners on our official website and official Linkedin post.

Yes, all nominations are kept confidential. Only the judging panel will have access to the nomination details. Nominees may be informed by their nominators, but the organisers will not disclose nominators’ identities without permission.

Nominations can be submitted via the official online nomination form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPARK_DL_Awards_2025

For additional information or assistance, please reach out to Mak, appointed secretariat of the SPARK Awards (cymak@wahspark.com).

No. Sponsors may nominate customers and partners, there is no sponsorship arrangement that allows sponsors to influence the judging process or be represented on the judging panel. The judging panel is independent and agnostic, ensuring fairness and transparency.

Yes, previous nominees and winners are welcome to submit nominations for the current edition, provided they meet the relevant criteria.

No. There are no fees for participating and submitting a nomination for the Awards. 

The judging panel consists of respected, independent industry leaders and experts from across Southeast Asia. Judges are selected for their expertise and are not affiliated with sponsors or nominees. Previous panels have included senior executives from government agencies, large enterprises, and technology organisations.

All nominations are kept anonymous to nominees recipients, nominators may feel free to get in touch with their nominees to inform them of nominations made.

Nominations for different categories include key attributes of leadership qualities, contributions to industry ecosystems and quantitative business metrics that best illustrate the impact of specific projects. Nominators are encouraged to cite as much supporting evidence related to specific projects or initiatives, as well as highlight relevant working experiences they might have had with the nominee.

All award winners from Singapore will be announced to the public in September 2025 (Date to be confirmed) on our official website (wahspark.com) the day after the private awards dinner.

The Asia Digital Leaders Awards 2025 ceremony will be held in Singapore in September 2025. Details on the venue and schedule will be shared via email nearer to the date itself.

None at all, award winners are recognised solely based on merit. We will invite award winners for media (video, written and voice podcast) interviews to share about their leadership experiences. Interested award winners will be featured in subsequent case studies and interviews after consent has been given.

Spark (formerly CIO Academy Asia) brings together a community of technology and business leaders from across Asia.

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