Ng Cher Pong to be IMDA’s new CEO from November, step down as NLB chief
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Mr Ng Cher Pong (left) will become IMDA's new chief executive from Nov 1 while Ms Melissa-May Tam will succeed him as NLB CEO.
PHOTOS: MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION
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SINGAPORE – The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will be getting a new chief executive following the appointment of Mr Ng Cher Pong.
Mr Ng, who is the current National Library and Archives Board (NLB) chief, will become IMDA’s CEO-designate from Oct 15, announced the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on Sept 23.
Mr Ng, 52, will take over as CEO of IMDA from Nov 1. He succeeds Mr Lew Chuen Hong, 49, who has held the position since June 2020.
Ms Melissa-May Tam, 54, will be appointed as NLB CEO-designate from Oct 1, before fully assuming the role from Nov 1.
Prior to Mr Ng’s current appointment at NLB in Dec 2019, he was the founding chief executive of SkillsFuture Singapore for three years and concurrently deputy secretary (SkillsFuture) in the Ministry of Education.
He had led the implementation of key initiatives under the SkillsFuture movement, such as the SkillsFuture Credit, MySkillsFuture, and SkillsFuture Series, said the statement.
At NLB, Mr Ng led its transformation towards a more open and omnichannel approach, including expanding its reach through nodes across Singapore.
He also conceived Punggol Regional Library in 2023, which became Singapore’s first fully inclusive library for people with disabilities.
He also drove the use of generative artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to create more immersive experiences and oversaw NLB’s SG60 flagship event.
NLB chairman Lee Seow Hiang said that the board had deepened its reach and impact under Mr Ng’s leadership.
“It has gained international recognition as a global leader in library innovation and for pushing the boundary for access to, and use of, library and archival content,” he said.
Ms Tam has more than 30 years of public service experience. She started in 1994 at the Ministry of Defence, where she has since held various leadership roles in research and analysis.
Her work focused on enhancing Singapore’s understanding of regional and global issues, as well as analysing security concerns relevant to Singapore, said MDDI.
Outgoing IMDA chief executive Lew Chuen Hong, 49, has held the position since June 2020.
PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION
The ministry added that IMDA’s outgoing CEO, Mr Lew, contributed significantly to architecting the development of Singapore’s digital economy and society.
Under his helm, IMDA pushed the boundaries of frontier tech as well as research and development, in the areas of AI and quantum technology, among others.
As the Personal Data Protection Commission commissioner, Mr Lew drove amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act to enable better use of data for innovation.
His efforts included pioneering AI governance and working with the industry through initiatives like the AI Verify Open Source foundation.
IMDA chairman Russell Tham thanked Mr Lew for his contributions and visionary leadership in building new capabilities for the organisation.
Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information Joseph Leong said: “Chuen Hong has led the transformation of IMDA and set it on a path to build and sustain important capabilities for the future in the digital, information and media domains.”
He added that Mr Lew also deepened collaboration with local and international partners and communities to drive social inclusion and economic growth.
