AB Circle Limited is a leading smart card reader and solutions provider in Asia, supporting more than five million users with secure digital identity technologies. The company specializes in smart card, NFC, cryptography, and authentication solutions for e-government, healthcare, transportation, and enterprise access control. Certified to major international standards, AB Circle delivers reliable MFA and Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions that meet demanding regulatory and operational requirements worldwide.
In this executive Q&A, Gilbert Leung, CEO of AB Circle Limited, shares insights shaped by decades of experience across Hong Kong and Japan. Known for his vision-driven, people-focused leadership style, Leung has guided AB Circle’s evolution from smart card innovation to AI-enabled, NFC-based digital identity platforms that support secure digital identity ecosystems. His emphasis on mentorship, integrity, and customer-centric innovation has positioned AB Circle as a trusted partner for governments and enterprises navigating future-ready digital identity solutions.
1. Career Journey: Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career, especially one that shaped your leadership approach at your current company?
One of the most formative experiences in my career was working directly under a visionary mentor who pioneered smart card technologies and led with deep conviction. He was deeply rooted in Confucian values and believed in the power of mentorship and technology to improve everyday life. From him, I learnt the importance of ownership—not just in tasks, but in outcomes, relationships, and long-term impact.
Together, we achieved a major milestone by listing the company on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, a journey that demanded relentless dedication and strategic clarity. His unwavering commitment to keeping promises, treating partners and employees with respect, and maintaining product excellence left a lasting impression on me. His hands-on leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability inspired my own approach at AB Circle.
Today, I carry forward those values—mentorship, integrity, and ownership—into my role as CEO at AB Circle where I strive to build a culture where people feel empowered to take initiative, innovate responsibly, and uphold the highest standards in everything we do.
2. Career Path: What initially brought you to this specific career path, and how did it lead to your role in this company?
My career began in technical marketing, where I served as a bridge between engineering teams and customer needs. Working closely with smart card technologies, I gained hands-on experience in both the technical and commercial dimensions of the business. Over time, my responsibilities expanded to include strategic sales and marketing, with a focus on promoting innovative solutions, identifying emerging market opportunities, and building long-term client relationships.
This progression—from technical execution to strategic leadership—gave me a holistic understanding of the industry. It also sharpened my ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive product innovation, and align business goals with customer expectations. These experiences naturally led me to take on a leadership role where I could guide a company’s vision and growth in the digital identity space.
3. Company Differentiation: What makes your company stand out from competitors in the market? Can you share an example that highlights this?
At AB Circle, our commitment to quality and innovation sets us apart – especially in markets known for their rigorous standards, like Japan. It took 5 years of dedicated refinement to align our smart card-based products with Japan’s demanding industrial benchmarks, from design aesthetics to reliability testing. Today, our products are trusted by leading Japanese enterprises, a testament to our craftsmanship and perseverance.
What truly defines our approach, however, is adaptability. We work closely with clients to customize solutions that meet their specific operational and regulatory needs—whether it’s firmware adjustments, interface integration, or tailored form factors. This flexibility ensures our technology fits seamlessly into diverse environments across sectors and geographies.
Equally important is our after-sales commitment. We provide responsive technical support, long-term maintenance options, and proactive service programs to ensure our partners feel confident and cared for well beyond the initial purchase.
4. Product Innovation: Are you working on any exciting new products or projects? How do you think this innovation will positively impact your customers?
Absolutely. One of the most exciting developments we’re working on is aligning our smart card and reader technologies with the global shift toward NFC-enabled digital identity, machine learning and AI-powered platforms. Around the world, governments and institutions are moving toward integrated identity solutions—Japan, for example, is leading a campaign to consolidate identity cards, social security cards, and driving licenses into a unified citizen services card stored in mobile wallets. In Europe, the eIDAS 2.0 regulation is paving the way for the EU Digital Identity Wallet, setting new standards for secure and interoperable digital identity.
By incorporating AI-driven capabilities such as adaptive security protocols, intelligent device diagnostics, and predictive maintenance, we are enhancing both the performance and resilience of our products. These innovations empower our customers with smarter identity management—making it more convenient, secure, and future-proof.
With AI as a strategic enabler, AB Circle continues to lead the way in building trust, efficiency, and long-term value across the identity landscape.
5. Success Insight: What was the tipping point for your company’s recent success? Was there a change in strategy or approach that others might learn from?
The tipping point was our strategic shift from a product-centric to a customer-centric approach. We began investing heavily in R&D and forming strategic partnerships to co-create solutions with our clients. This shift not only accelerated innovation but also deepened trust and relevance in the market.
For others, the lesson is clear: success comes from solving real problems collaboratively rather than simply pushing products.
But our mission goes beyond commercial success. By developing secure, intelligent identity technologies, we are helping governments and enterprises enhance citizens’ quality of life—making everyday transactions safer, faster, and more inclusive. Whether it is enabling seamless mobility, protecting personal data, or supporting digital transformation, our solutions are designed to serve society.
6. Challenges and Lessons: Can you share a significant challenge your company faced and how you overcame it? What key lesson did that experience provide?
Our greatest challenge was entering the Japanese market, where expectations for quality reliability and certification are among the highest in the world. To meet these standards, we rebuilt our product line from the ground up—reengineering design, refining functionality, and passing rigorous testing. It took five years, but we succeeded.
Today, AB Circle stands as Asia’s leading smart card reader supplier, trusted by top-tier Japanese enterprises and millions of users across the region. This achievement reflects more than technical capability—it’s the result of patience, precision, and persistence. Excellence isn’t achieved overnight—it’s earned through relentless attention to detail and deep respect for customer standards.
7. Leadership Impact: In just a few words, what differentiates your leadership role from others in the company? What impact does this have on company culture or product success?
Vision-driven and people-focused. As CEO, I set the strategic direction while fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and collaboration. My leadership philosophy centers on winning the customer—not just the project—by earning trust, delivering consistent value, and building long-term partnerships.
Internally, this approach helps employees feel more connected to the impact of their work, empowered to contribute ideas, and proud to be part of a company that values society.
Read more about AB Circle’s role in enabling secure and future-ready Digital Identity solutions at the website here.
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