SINGAPORE: PropertyGuru and Starhub chairman Olivier Lim will take over as chairman of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Jan 1, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Friday (Dec 29).
He will replace Mr Chaly Mah, who has served the board for seven years. The move comes a year after Mr Lim’s appointment as STB deputy chairman.
Mr Lim is also the lead independent director of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank, as well as a director of Raffles Medical Group. He serves on the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) securities industry council.
The outgoing Mr Mah assumed the position of STB chairman on Jan 1, 2017.
During his tenure, he led the board to implement key initiatives and strategies that contributed to the strong tourism performance before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under his leadership, STB was successful in increasing international visitor arrivals, tourism receipts and grew our mindshare globally,” said MTI.
The ministry noted that Singapore recorded 19.1 million international visitor arrivals and S$27.7 billion (US$21 billion) in tourism receipts in 2019.
“When faced with unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Mah guided the board in supporting the tourism sector to innovate and transform in order to emerge stronger from the pandemic,” it added.
Under his leadership, STB launched the SingapoRediscovers Campaign to drive local demand for tourism products, as well as the SingapoReimagine initiative to build anticipation for the resumption of international travel.
“These initiatives have enabled STB to strengthen local advocacy and engagement, maintain mindshare with our international audience, as well as propel tourism companies to jumpstart their business transformation,” MTI said.
He was awarded the Public Service Star Medal at the 2022 National Day awards in recognition of his commitment and contributions to the tourism sector.
Mr Beh Swan Gin, Permanent Secretary (Development) for MTI, thanked Mr Mah for his “invaluable contributions”.
“Under Chaly’s leadership, STB executed important initiatives that contributed to our robust tourism performance,” he said.
“I am confident that Olivier’s extensive experience will position him well to take STB towards its next phase of growth.”
MTI also announced two new board member appointments – Mr Amrin Amin, head of corporate development at Temasek Foundation and Mr Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group.
Two other members were reappointed to the board – Mr Arthur Lang, Singtel’s group chief financial officer, and Ms Soh Siew Choo, chief information officer for Asia at MetLife.
Two board members will step down upon the completion of their term on Dec 31. They are Urban Redevelopment Authority CEO Lim Eng Hwee and Turmeric Capital and Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle chairman and CEO Ravi Thakran.