Changi Airport Group CEO Lee Seow Hiang steps down; successor announced

After remarkable 15-year tenure, Mr Lee Seow Hiang, the chief executive of Changi Airport Group (CAG), will be stepping down from his role on July 1. The announcement, made by CAG on April 9, marks the end of an era for one of the world's most renowned airport operators.

Replacing Mr Lee will be Mr Yam Kum Weng, who currently serves as CAG’s executive vice-president for airport development. Mr Yam, an airport veteran with extensive experience, has been at the forefront of leading the Changi East project. 

His appointment as Mr Lee's successor reflects CAG's commitment to continuity and maintaining its position as a global aviation leader.

Alongside relinquishing his role as chief executive, Mr Lee will also step down as a CAG board director and as the chairman of Changi Airports International (CAI), the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, as well as Jewel Changi Airport Development, which operates Jewel, the iconic lifestyle and entertainment complex at the airport. In his place, Mr. Yam will assume the responsibilities of a CAG board director and the chairman of CAI, effective from July 1.

According to CAG spokesman Ivan Tan, the appointment of the new chairman for Jewel Changi Airport Development, a joint venture between CAG and CapitaLand Development, will be announced in due course. 

This decision underscores the collaborative nature of the joint venture, with shareholders engaging in discussions to select the most suitable candidate for the role.

Mr. Lee's tenure as CAG’s founding chief executive, which began on July 1, 2009, has been marked by numerous milestones in Changi Airport’s history. Under his leadership, the airport witnessed significant developments, including the successful launch of Terminal 4 in 2017 and the grand opening of Jewel in 2019. His visionary leadership and strategic initiatives have played a pivotal role in solidifying Changi Airport’s reputation as a world-class aviation hub.