The deputy executive director of the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), Mr Lee Kwong Weng, 58, was appointed executive director on Thursday, succeeding former executive director Chionh Chye Khye.

Mr Chionh, 64, retired on the same day after 41 years in the public service, the Ministry of National Development (MND) said in a press release yesterday.

A trained engineer, Mr Lee served in the MND and its agencies for over 30 years.

He was appointed deputy executive director of the CEA in January this year.

Before that, Mr Lee was deputy chief executive for the corporate and technology unit of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore, where he led the formulation of a long-term food security road map for Singapore.

Mr Chionh had helmed the CEA since its formation on Oct 22, 2010, as a new statutory board under MND. He oversaw the implementation of a regulatory framework to raise property agents' professional standards.

He also formed a new licensing regime for property agents, mandatory registration of real estate salesmen and a system for managing complaints.