New chairmen named for Esplanade and School of the Arts

TWO key Singapore art institutions will have new chairmen in the new year.

Current School of the Arts (Sota) chairman Lee Tzu Yang will replace current The Esplanade Co chairwoman Theresa Foo from Jan 1 as Ms Foo steps down after 17 years on the board of the arts venue. Ms Foo became a board member of the Esplanade in 1997 and its chair in 2005.

Mr Lee will step down from Sota on Jan 31 after leading the school since its inception in 2006. Philip Jeyaretnam, the managing partner of law firm Rodyk & Davidson, will succeed Mr Lee at Sota.

"I would like to thank Theresa for her immense contributions in shaping the Esplanade into the arts centre that it is today - a true cultural and national icon," Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong said in a statement. "I also welcome Tzu Yang and Philip on board as they assume their respective chairmanships of the Esplanade and Sota. I am confident that Tzu Yang will continue to leave his mark on our arts landscape in his new role at the Esplanade. Philip's vast experience in various leading cultural initiatives will put him in a good position to lead the board in charting Sota's next stage of development."