JTC Corporation to get new CEO on April 1

SINGAPORE – JTC Corporation will welcome a new chief executive officer come April 1.

In a media statement on Feb 21, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced that Ms Jacqueline Poh will take over from Mr Tan Boon Khai in the role at the statutory board in charge of Singapore’s industrial progress.

Ms Poh, who will be appointed CEO-designate of JTC from March 1, will also be appointed as a member of the JTC board in an ex-officio capacity.

She has been serving as the managing director of the Economic Development Board (EDB) since October 2021, and led it as it exceeded investment commitment targets amid Singapore’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

During her tenure, said MTI, she worked towards strengthening Singapore’s presence in international business, fostering deeper relationships with global leaders, particularly within the technology and start-up space.

Prior to her time in EDB, Ms Poh, 49, served in various senior roles in public service, including as deputy secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office strategy group, founding CEO of the Government Technology Agency of Singapore and managing director of the former Infocommunications Development Authority.

Mr Tan, 51, will officially step down as JTC CEO on March 31 to pursue other interests, said MTI.

He first joined JTC in September 2020 and led the agency in responding to Covid-19, supporting industries critical to the nation’s resilience and recovery from the pandemic.

In his time as CEO, Mr Tan oversaw the completion of several new estates and buildings, including Punggol Digital District, CleanTech Three, Jurong Innovation District and Woodlands North Coast.

He also made preservation and adaptive reuse key considerations in the rejuvenation of ageing industrial estates in the redevelopment of Singapore’s industrial sector, and drove broader productivity in operations through the use of digitalisation and technology adoption, said MTI.

Mr Jeffrey Siow, Second Permanent Secretary for MTI, said that Mr Tan has made “significant contributions” to JTC as CEO.

“Under his leadership, JTC drove the planning and development of future-ready industrial infrastructure, which supported the growth of our industries and companies,” said Mr Siow.

Welcoming Ms Poh, he said: “Already part of the MTI family, Jacqueline has a deep understanding of investor needs which will help in her new role to develop attractive and innovative industrial land and spaces.

“I am confident that Jacqueline will build on Boon Khai’s good work to advance Singapore’s industrial infrastructure.”