While he has spent the past four decades promoting sports here and overseas, Mr Ng Ser Miang wants people to know that he is also passionate about business.
That passion is behind his appointment as chairman and non-executive independent director of Rowsley, a multi-disciplinary lifestyle real estate and investment firm. Mr Ng, 66, told The Straits Times yesterday that he has known Rowsley's controlling shareholder, Mr Peter Lim, and has "a strong relationship with him" through the Singapore Olympic Foundation and Valencia Football Club.
"I am excited about Rowsley's transformation into an international multi-disciplinary real estate group, all within a short span of time. The group has ambitious, exciting projects in Iskandar and in Manchester, as well as owns RSP, one of the leading architectural, engineering consultancies in Asia."
He added that he has met senior management from RSP Architects and Rowsley in the past few days and is "quickly settling into the role". RSP was acquired by Rowsley in 2013.
A former athlete, entrepreneur, politician, diplomat and sports advocate, Mr Ng has worn many hats. He founded Trans-Island Bus Services in 1982 before selling it to SMRT Corporation in 2004.
Last year, he stepped down as the chairman of FairPrice after serving for nine years. He has also been Singapore Sailing chief and has chaired the Singapore Sports Council.
Mr Ng is also an independent and non-executive director on the board of Singapore Press Holdings and Yanlord Holdings.
Rowsley said in a statement on Monday that Mr Ng was succeeding Mr Chiang Chie Foo, the chairman and non-executive non-independent director. Mr Chiang will take on the role of adviser at Mr Lim's investment company Meriton, which owns Valencia Football Club.
Ms Chan Lay Hoon was appointed deputy chairman and non-executive non-independent director on Tuesday.
"Both Mr Ng and Ms Chan will add heft to the Rowsley board as the company ramps up the execution of its large-scale Vantage Bay Healthcare City project in southern Malaysia and expands into the real estate and hospitality sectors beginning in the UK," said Rowsley.
It added that executive director and group chief executive Lock Wai Han will step down on Jan 1 to pursue personal interests. Mr Ong Pang Liang, a non-executive director of UPP Holdings, will begin serving as an independent non-executive director on the same day.
Dr Wong Chiang Yin, a non-executive non-independent director, and Mr Chua Hwee Song, an independent non-executive director, will leave the board at the end of the year to pursue personal interests.
Rowsley said executive directors Lai Huen Poh, Ho Kiam Kheong and Tan Wee Tuck will jointly lead the group's business activities and report to the board.
