EZ-Link appoints Nicholas Lee as chief executive officer

His new role will take effect from 1 October 2011.

“The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Nicholas Lee to Chief Executive Officer of EZ-Link Pte Ltd and on behalf of the Board and staff of EZ-Link Pte Ltd, I wish Nicholas a successful career in his appointment as CEO. We look forward to greater growth in adoption, transactions and applications under his able leadership,” said Mr Wilson Tan, Chairman, Board of Directors, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.

Mr Nicholas Lee was first seconded to EZ-Link Pte Ltd on 1 October 2002 from the Land Transport Authority as a business manager. He was officially appointed the Senior Vice President, Business & Technology, of EZ-Link on 1 September 2004. Over the years, Mr Lee played an instrumental role in the expansion of the use of ez-link cards beyond transit and proliferating the adoption of cashless payment by offering consumers greater convenience and benefits. Notable projects that were led by him included the strategic partnership that was forged between Citibank and SMRT which led to the introduction of the first co-branded card with ez-link functionality, i.e. the Citibank SMRT VISA Platinum Card, the EZ-Online internet top-up service as well as the launch of the well-received Singapore Tourist Pass product in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board.

In 2008, Mr Lee was promoted to Executive Director of EZ-Link Pte Ltd. Under his leadership, EZ-Link has seen the birth of innovative products and services such as the first attractions and travel card (Go Singapore Pass), the first non-bank issuer prepaid MasterCard product in Singapore (FEVO MasterCard), a travel pass for unlimited travel on buses and trains (EZ-Link Season Pass), and an auto-top up facility for the ez-link card (EZ-Reload). During this period, the company also successfully managed the conversion of the old ez-link cards to the new generation CEPAS ez-link cards, which now number in excess of 10 million.

Mr Lee also spearheaded several co-brand partnerships with other banks including DBS and OCBC, and the People’s Association, as well as promoting the usage of cashless payment within the motoring, retail and lifestyle sectors.

In an effort to continue driving cashless convenience and maintaining the ez-link card as the card of choice for use in public transport and retail, Mr Lee successfully partnered DBS Bank Ltd to enable ez-link card holders the ease of topping up their ez-link cards across DBS’ network of over 1000 DBS and POSB ATMs, as well as at all 750 AXS stations.

“The achievements I have made in EZ-Link over the years would not have been possible without the support from the Board and a capable team. I will continue to grow and expand the company progressively, increasing our presence beyond transit. We want to continue delivering the benefits of cashless payments into the hands of our consumers and make the ez-link card Singapore’s payment of choice,” said Mr Nicholas Lee.