Former SMRT Corp CEO Desmond Kuek will start his new role as the divisional Vice Chairman for UBS bank’s global wealth management arm starting Feb. 18.

Based in Singapore, Kuek will help the bank grow its business in the APAC region and help build a vast network of investors, according to a statement by UBS.

Previously, Kuek has fulfilled the role of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. He was also the Chief of Army and Chief of Defence Force with the Singapore Armed Forces. He has also served on the boards of Singapore Technologies Engineering and its subsidiaries, Jurong Town Corporation and International Enterprise Singapore among others.

In his new role Kuek will be reporting to Joe Stadler, Head of Ultra High Net Worth at UBS and Edmund Koh, the president of UBS APAC.

“Desmond is a great intellect and strategic thinker. He is tenacious, always calm under pressure and not afraid to take on the toughest challenges with commitment and perseverance,” Koh said. “His rich and diverse range of experiences driving complex businesses through innovation and transformation will serve UBS well into its next chapter.”

Image credit: The Straits Times