Singapore’s Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) has appointed a new Chief Executive (CE) has been for the
Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech).
Mr Kok Ping Soon, Deputy Secretary (Development) in the Ministry of Manpower
(MOM) will assume the position from 1 May 2018. He succeeds Ms Jacqueline Poh.
Ms Poh’s next appointment will be announced in due course.
GovTech, which was formed in 2016 through the restructuring
of the erstwhile Info-communications Development Authority (IDA) is tasked with
harnessing info-communications technology and related engineering for public
sector transformation. GovTech’s roles include deploying a wide range of ICT
solutions within the public sector, growing new capabilities and talent to
support digital service delivery, and developing the Smart Nation
infrastructure and applications.
As Deputy Secretary (Development), MOM, Mr Kok oversees
national policies and programmes related to Workplace Safety and Health, Human
Capital Development, and SGSecure for Workplaces, as well as initiatives on
service excellence, digitalisation, people engagement and future-ready
capability building.
Prior to his appointment at MOM, Mr Kok was Senior Director,
National Security Co-ordination Centre within the National Security
Co-ordination Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Mr Kok has also
held various positions in Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of
Manpower, Singapore Tourism Board and Economic Development Board.
Ms Poh was Managing Director (MD) of the from 2013 to 2016
before IDA was restructured. During her tenure as CE of GovTech, she set the
strategic direction for GovTech as the implementing agency of the Smart Nation
Strategic National Projects (SNPs).
She was also instrumental in rebuilding the Government’s
capabilities in ICT and smart systems, data science and artificial intelligence
(AI), cybersecurity, application design and development, and Internet of
Things. Under her stewardship, GovTech set up the Government Digital Services
at Hive to develop citizen-centric digital products, such as the OneService app, Parking.sg
and the National
Trade Platform.
Ms Poh also led GovTech to further strengthen the Singapore
Government’s cybersecurity posture and resiliency of key government ICT systems
and infrastructure.
Mr Ng Chee Khern, Permanent-Secretary (Smart Nation and
Digital Government) and Chairman of GovTech, said, “The Board of GovTech would
like to thank Jacqueline for transforming GovTech into an organisation that is
bold and prepared to take risks in getting things done. Under Jacqueline’s
leadership, GovTech has been able to deliver innovative and imaginative
solutions that have taken Singapore forward in its journey to becoming a
technology-enabled society. Her leadership in moulding this culture will be a
lasting legacy.”
“GovTech welcomes Ping Soon, who will build on the strong
foundation laid by Jacqueline. Ping Soon is a person who cares for people, and
I expect he will continue to develop the most important capability in GovTech –
the people and its culture – further strengthening and embedding the changes
that Jacqueline initiated,” added Mr Ng.
