Keppel Offshore & Marine chief executive officer Choo Chiau Beng, 61, will take over from Jan 1.

The change is part of a succession plan put in place by the board 'for senior management', Keppel said in a statement to the Singapore Exchange last night.

Mr Lim, 64, has been with Keppel for 25 years and has helmed the group since 2000. He will stay on the board as non-executive chairman.

This will allow him to keep helping the group 'expand and strengthen Keppel's geographical footprint in China, Vietnam, India and the Middle East'.

Mr Lim will also look after board matters and oversee the group's sustainable development initiatives.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.