The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) has announced the appointment of Kok Ping Soon, 52, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kok will assume the role of CEO-designate of SBF with effect from April 1 while concurrently serving as Chief Executive (CE) of the Government Technology Agency (GovTech). He will be appointed as CEO of SBF from 1 June 2023 and relinquish his role as CE of GovTech.

As CE of GovTech, Kok, spearheaded the implementation of the Digital Government Blueprint to improve citizens’ and businesses’ satisfaction with government digital services. He oversaw the development of key technology projects and set up the Digital Academy to raise digital capabilities in the public sector.

Prior to his appointment at GovTech, Kok was Deputy Secretary (Development), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), where he oversaw national policies and programmes related to Workplace Safety and Health, Human Capital Development, as well as organisational initiatives on service excellence, digitalisation, and people development.

He also held various positions within the National Security Co-ordination Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI), MOM, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Economic Development Board (EDB). He spent six years in the United States working for Contact Singapore and Economic Development Board (EDB).

On Kok's hiring, Lim Ming Yan, Chairman of SBF, said, “Ping Soon’s public sector experience across the economic, security, manpower and technology sectors will be crucial in helping our businesses to be future ready and in strengthening SBF’s role as the apex business chamber. I look forward to working with Ping Soon to realise the full potential of SBF, creating value for our members and being a strong voice for our business community.”