Singapore Airlines (SIA) has named 30-year veteran Chew Choon Seng as chief executive-designate to take over from Cheong Choong Kong after he retires in June.
Chew's appointment marks the first top leadership change at the airline in nearly 20 years, and is described by the airline's board as a "smooth and orderly succession". Chew, who joined SIA in 1972, is currently senior executive vice-president (administration), overseeing corporate affairs, finance and internal audit.
Chew's appointment came as a something of a surprise, as the market was expecting senior executive vice- president (technical) Bey Soo Khiang to be appointed to the top job. When Bey, a Lt General, joined SIA in 2000 after retiring as the head of the Singapore armed forces, local media identified him as the favourite in the succession race.
But in early 2001 Chew and fellow executive vice-president (EVP) Michael Tan were promoted to senior EVP positions, making it a three-horse race among the internal candidates. Bey was also elevated to senior EVP level in April 2002.
There had also been suggestions in the months preceding Chew's appointment as chief executive-designate that an outsider would be hired to take over. One name that came up was Cathay Pacific Airways' chief operating officer Philip Chen.
Chew has an ambassadorial manner and is well-respected inside the airline and well-known in Singaporean circles. He is chairman of Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise and also of Singapore public transport company SMRT Corp.
Chew, 56, has held many jobs with the airline over the past three decades, including spells in Japan and Italy. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Singapore, and a master of science degree in operations research and management studies from Imperial College, London.
Outgoing chief executive Cheong says of Chew's appointment: "Choon Seng brings to the position a wealth of experience, particularly in the areas of marketing, finance and planning. He has a good understanding of the complexities and peculiarities of the airline business and is steeped in the SIA culture of service excellence and people orientation."
NICHOLAS IONIDES SINGAPORE
Source: Airline Business
