Social service organisation Awwa has appointed former Microsoft regional director Kevin Lee as its new chief executive.

Mr Lee spent 20 years in senior management roles in several multinational companies, and has experience in industries related to IT and digital technologies. He was appointed regional director at Microsoft in 2014. Before that, he was vice-president at Hewlett-Packard. Mr Lee, who is in his 40s, has also worked at Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems and Siemens.

He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organisations, schools and colleges. He is chairman of the audit committee and board director at St Francis Methodist School, and honorary treasurer for Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary.

An Awwa spokesman said his "unique combination of commercial and community expertise will bring a fresh perspective to the organisation".

Awwa is a non-profit organisation that runs programmes to help needy people, including children with special needs and seniors.

Mr Lee said: "I am truly inspired by Awwa's enduring passion to embrace more social impact-focused innovations, and I look forward to forging a more inclusive society for our clients, together with our experienced board, dedicated staff and key stakeholders."

Awwa's previous chief executive, Mr Tim Oei, 58, joined the National Kidney Foundation as chief executive earlier this month.