A Singapore Public Service Commission Scholar, Joe Keen Poon has been named President for Singapore by Kaplan, a leading global provider of training and education services.

In this role, Joe assumes overall responsibility for driving business growth and development for Kaplan in Singapore. He will oversee the strategic direction and operations for the institution, spearhead programmes to meet industry demand and strengthen partnerships. 

"I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading private education providers at a time where industries across Asia are disrupted by dramatic changes in socio-political balance, demographics and technology," said Joe.

Joe has experience in senior leadership roles across Asia and Europe having successfully led organisations, from start-ups, to turning around very large and mature businesses in Asia. Prior to this appointment, Joe headed and led the Smart City Solutions, a subsidiary of Surbana Jurong, to the successful conceptualisation and creation of the Smart City in a BoxTM, a first and Asia’s largest city-wide IOT monitoring services in operations. Other notable achievements include creating Asia Pacific’s first data warehouse for the healthcare industry to leading a government and industry coalition to improve profitability in the consumer space.

Now he looks forward to working closely with the Singapore Government, the university and industry partners to continue the good work on industry transformation and lifelong learning. His focus would be on equipping the workforce of today and tomorrow with better learning outcomes through innovative ideas and approaches.

Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Kaplan in Singapore, will remain in Singapore during the transition period, and work closely with Joe. Rhys will take on a new role at Kaplan International, and will be based in the United Kingdom from September 2020 onwards. He will continue to be closely involved in the business at Kaplan in Singapore.

“The move back to UK, as well as welcoming Joe to Kaplan, opens a new chapter, both for myself and Kaplan in Singapore," said Rhys.

He further added how technology is changing the face of education, and emphasized on Kaplan's committment to being the lifelong learning partner of choice by supporting the government and key industry associations in their industry transformation efforts.

The world of work is undergoing tremendous transformation currently as it prepares for great uncertainties. The business environment hadn't been this volatile ever. The challenges COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it are unknown and tough to tackle with. How institutions like Kaplan, government and industry can work together to navigate through these tough times is key. Especially when it comes to preparing the workforce for the future of work and helping them build the skills that enhance their employability.