Keppel kicks off series of appointments

All of the appointments were effective starting 1 October.

In a release, Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) announced several new appointments as part of ongoing efforts to put in place a strong leadership team to continually reinforce the Group's growth strategy.

Mr Michael Chia, 59, has been appointed Managing Director (Marine) of Keppel O&M and will oversee Keppel O&M's Marine Division which includes Keppel Shipyard, Keppel Singmarine and other marine-related overseas yards. Mr Chia will concurrently hold his appointments as Managing Director (Technology) of Keppel O&M and Managing Director of Keppel O&M Technology Centre. He will report directly to Mr Chow Yew Yuen, Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M.

Besides his appointments in Keppel O&M, Mr Chia is also Director (Group Strategy & Development) of Keppel Corporation. A veteran in the offshore and marine industry for more than 30 years, Mr Chia has held various appointments within the Keppel Group. He was Managing Director (Offshore) of Keppel O&M and Deputy Chairman of Keppel Integrated Engineering Limited. From 2002 to 2009, he was the Executive Director of Keppel FELS with responsibility for the overall management of the company.

Mr Wong Kok Seng, 62, has been appointed Managing Director (Offshore) of Keppel O&M and will have oversight of Keppel O&M's Offshore Division including Keppel FELS and related overseas yards. He remains Managing Director of Keppel FELS and reports directly to Mr Chow Yew Yuen. Mr Wong started his career in Keppel FELS in 1977 and has previously held appointments in the Keppel Group as Executive Director of Keppel FELS, Project Director of Keppel Land and Executive Director of Keppel Singmarine.

Mr Chor How Jat, previously Acting Managing Director of Keppel Shipyard, has been appointed Managing Director of Keppel Shipyard. He will report directly to Mr Michael Chia, Managing Director (Marine) of Keppel O&M. Mr Chor, 50, began his career at Keppel in 1988 and has held appointments as Shipyard Manager and General Manager (Operations) at Keppel FELS. He was appointed Executive Director of Keppel Shipyard in January 2011 before his current appointment.

On the new executive appointments, Mr Tong Chong Heong, CEO of Keppel O&M said, "As we grow our competencies and reach worldwide, we also have in place the right set of people to take the Group to the next stage. The Board and I are confident that these new appointments will carry us forward stronger into the future. Michael, Kok Seng and How Jat have the experience and acumen to further grow our competencies, increase our competitiveness, seize business opportunities and penetrate new markets."

Besides the executive appointments, Keppel O&M has also made a number of appointments to the chairmanships of companies within the Keppel O&M Group.

Mr Chow Yew Yuen, Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M has also been appointed Chairman of Keppel Singmarine.

Mr Michael Chia has taken on the Chairmanship of several of Keppel O&M's subsidiaries: Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd, Maju Maritime Pte Ltd and DPS Bristol (Holdings) Ltd.

Mr Toh Ko Lin, Senior General Manager (Commercial) of Keppel Singmarine has been appointed as Chairman of Keppel Philippines Marine Inc, Keppel Batangas Shipyard and Keppel Subic Shipyard Inc.