Leadership Spotlight: Jesus Escolar, Chief Information Officer at La Royale Group
A transformative tech leader blends deep cybersecurity expertise with global strategic vision. As Chief Information Officer at La Royale Group, Jesus Escolar brings over two decades of experience building enterprise-grade security solutions and leading digital transformation programs across industries and continents.
Based in Singapore, Jesus has led high-impact technology projects, delivered keynotes on cybersecurity and threat intelligence, and built high-performing multicultural teams across diverse industries that foster innovation and operational resilience. He now leads the Group's digital transformation with a focus on resilience, scalability, and security.
In this edition of our Leadership Spotlight series, Jesus reflects on the journey that shaped his approach to leadership and how he's positioning La Royale Group for future-ready innovation and sustained growth.
How has your leadership style changed over the years?
Early in my career, I was deeply technical, operational, and very hands-on: focused on solving problems directly and driving execution. Over time, I've learned that leadership is less about doing things yourself and more about empowering others, fostering collaboration, and promoting a culture of continuous innovation.
At La Royale Group, my leadership style now centers on strategic guidance, empathy, active listening, and nurturing diverse talent - to drive technological innovation in line with our long-term goals.
When you stepped into this role, what was your first priority?
My immediate priority was aligning our global technology and cybersecurity strategies with La Royale Group’s ambitious business goals. I started with a full assessment of our tech landscape, identifying areas for immediate improvement and kicking off key projects to strengthen our operational resilience, enhance security, and support scalable growth.
This foundational work was critical. It set us up for long-term innovation and ensured our technology platforms were robust, future-ready, and aligned with our commercial strategy.
What’s a book or podcast that’s shaped your thinking recently - and why?
AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan has deeply influenced how I think about long-term strategy. The book paints a vivid picture of how artificial intelligence could reshape business industries and society over the next few decades. This perspective has informed my approach to proactively integrating advanced AI technologies into La Royale Group's strategic roadmap, to turn innovation into a competitive edge.
If you could offer one piece of advice to future leaders, what would it be?
Stay relentlessly curious and committed to lifelong learning. Whether I was working as an engineer, founding a startup, or now leading as CIO, that mindset has been a constant. Technology evolves fast, so the ability to adapt, learn quickly, and cultivate curiosity has been pivotal. The best leaders are always evolving - to drive meaningful impact, even in times of disruption.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of La Royale Group?
I’m genuinely excited about La Royale Group’s potential to harness technology for transformative impact across fintech, gaming tech, and marketing. We’re committed to pioneering innovation - especially in areas like AI, which positions us to reimagine operations, unlock new business opportunities, and deliver sustained value. Being part of an ambitious, values-driven group that’s focused on building something with lasting impact keeps me energized every day.
About La Royale Group
La Royale Group builds and scales future-focused businesses across high-growth sectors, including fintech, gaming tech, and marketing. Backed by deep operational expertise and a disciplined approach, we drive long-term value to power growth for the future.