UOB head of strategic comms steps down, moves into social services

UOB's head of strategic communications Dennis Low has stepped down after over two years, making a striking pivot to the social sector.

During his time at UOB, Low led the bank's global communications strategies, aligning initiatives with the brand's vision, and oversaw a Singapore-based team managing communications across China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, according to his LinkedIn. Following his departure from UOB, Low has taken on the role of deputy executive director and chief transformation officer at social services agency Epworth Community Services.

In his new role, he is tasked with future-proofing the agency, building institutional capabilities, driving digital transformation, and strengthening operational resilience — all to further Epworth’s mission of supporting at-risk children and youths through strong families and resilient living. This comes after Low’s long career in the financial and banking industries.

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Prior to his time at UOB, Low was head of regional brand, marketing and communications at UnionPay International, leading strategy across 10 ASEAN markets, and served as regional marketing director at American Express. He has also held roles at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and DBS Bank throughout his career.

When asked about his pivot into the social sector, Low said he has “always been deeply passionate about the well-being of children, youths, and families.”

“In today’s volatile and uncertain climate, many families face mounting pressures, whether emotionally, financially, or socially. When this role at Epworth came up, I saw it as a huge opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact. It is about restoring hope, nurturing resilience, and helping vulnerable children and youths discover their potential through the strength of family and community,” he added.

Since joining the non-profit, Epworth has launched its festive “Friends of Epworth – giving hope and resilience” campaign, inviting donors and volunteers to support children and families navigating life’s toughest challenges.

“Through this campaign, we aim to provide emotional healing, safe environments, and opportunities to learn and grow. Every gift helps us continue our mission to heal, uplift, and empower,” explained Low.

Drawing on his years in financial services, he emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration:

The financial sector taught me the power of bringing stakeholders together to share best practices, build trust, and advocate collectively.

"The social services sector, despite its immense societal importance, has historically lacked such coordinated platforms. Yet the need is even greater. We must foster deeper collaboration among social services agencies, share insights, and build ecosystems of care. After all, it truly takes a village to raise a child, and that village must be united, informed, and inspired," concluded Low.

Low's move from UOB to Epworth follows a wider trend of senior executives taking on transformative roles in new sectors. For instance, Mastercard recently appointed Jill Kramer as its new chief marketing and communications officer, effective 1 December 2025. Kramer joins from Accenture, where she led a global, tech-driven marketing and communications function, succeeding Raja Rajamannar, who transitioned to senior fellow at Mastercard after 12 years at the brand.

Executives such as Low and Kramer illustrate how leaders are increasingly leveraging their strategic, operational, and industry experience to make meaningful impact in new environments, whether it’s driving growth, shaping innovation, or in Low's case, strengthening social impact initiatives.   

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