Olam International names Kwa Chong Seng as Deputy Chairman, independent non-executive director

The company believes he is an important addition to the board with his extensive organisational, business management, strategic planning and customer-based experience and knowledge.

Olam International announced the appointment of Kwa Chong Seng as deputy chairman as well as independent non-executive director effective 1 October 2014.

Mr Kwa, 68, is currently the chairman of Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore Technologies Engineering and Fullerton Fund Management. He is a non-executive director of Singapore Exchange, Seatown Holdings and Delta Topco. He is a member of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) Board of Directors and also the Deputy Chairman of the Public Service Commission in Singapore.

He was the deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings from 1997 to 2012 and a non-executive director of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank from 2003 to 2012, according to an Olam International report.

Mr Kwa has more than 40 years' experience in the petroleum industry. He started his career with Esso Singapore in 1969, holding various roles in logistics, marketing and other parts of the downstream business before becoming chairman and managing director in 1992. He held this post until 1999 when he became chairman and managing director of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific. He retired from this position in 2011.