New chiefs for MCCY agencies

Leadership renewal in key appointments at MCCY agencies

1. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) announced today that it will welcome three new Chief Executives at the People’s Association, National Heritage Board, and The National Art Gallery starting from March 2013.

2. The following changes are part of the continual process of leadership renewal of these agencies.
   
   i) People’s Association (PA)
   Mr Yam Ah Mee, 55, Chief Executive Director of PA, will be retiring from the Public Service to join the private sector after completing his tenure at PA on 31 March 2013. Mr Yam has been Chief Executive Director of PA since 1 June 2010, leading PA’s efforts in building community bonds and social cohesion.
   
   Mr Ang Hak Seng, 52, currently Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Board, will be appointed Chief Executive (Designate) on 15 Feb 2013 and as its Chief Executive Director of the PA from 1 April 2013. PA’s Deputy Chairman Minister Lim Swee Say said: "One core mission of PA is to bring people closer together in the community. I would like to express PA's deep appreciation to Ah Mee for his significant contribution in strengthening community bonding. He has made a difference and we will miss him. On behalf of the Board, staff, grassroots leaders and volunteers, I wish Ah Mee the very best for the future. We also warmly welcome Mr Ang Hak Seng to PA, and look forward to working together in serving the community."
   
   More details about the leadership change at the People’s Association can be found in Annex A. 
   
   ii) National Heritage Board (NHB)
   Mr Michael Koh, 51, will relinquish his role as Chief Executive Officer of NHB on 1 March 2013, a post he has held since 1 Sept 20061. He will join the MCCY as its Special Advisor (Heritage) to assist the Ministry as it reviews heritage policy and seeks to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to preserve and promote Singapore’s heritage.
   
   Mrs Rosa Huey Daniel, 49, currently Deputy Secretary (Culture) MCCY, will hold the concurrent appointment of Chief Executive (Designate) NHB with effect from 1 Feb 2013, and be appointed its Chief Executive from 1 March 2013.
   
   Speaking about Mr Koh’s contributions during his tenure as CEO NHB, Mr Ong Yew Huat, Chairman NHB, said: “Michael has brought NHB to where it is today, raising the role played by the Board and expanding the heritage sector. He has contributed significantly to our museums becoming educational and contemporary lifestyle destinations.”
   
   More details about Mrs Daniel’s appointment at NHB and Mr Koh’s appointment at the MCCY can be found in Annex B. 
   
   iii) The National Art Gallery, Singapore (the Gallery)
   Ms Chong Siak Ching, 54, will be appointed the Chief Executive Officer of The National Art Gallery, Singapore (the Gallery) with effect from 1 April 2013. She will provide strategic leadership to the Gallery which will open in 2015, and lead its next phase of development.
   
   Going forward, MCCY intends to bring together its three visual arts institutions, namely the National Art Gallery, the Singapore Art Museum and the Singapore Tyler Print Institute, to achieve better operating synergies and co-ordinate programme efforts. Ms Chong will concurrently head this visual arts cluster.
   
   With the appointment at the Gallery, Ms Chong will step down from her executive role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascendas Private Limited. She will continue to hold Board and/or Directorship appointments in other organisations, including Singapore Press Holdings, Spring Singapore, Jurong Health Services and the National University of Singapore.
   
   More details about Ms Chong’s appointment at the Gallery can be found in Annex C. 
   1 Mr Koh was appointed Chief Executive (Designate) of the National Heritage Board on 1 Aug 2006.
   
   31 JANUARY 2013
   MINISTRY OF CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH
   
   Contact Person: HO Ka Wei (Mr)
   Office: 6837 8980
   Email: ho_ka_wei@mccy.gov.sg