URA to appoint new chairperson Ow Foong Pheng

[SINGAPORE] The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) board will appoint Ow Foong Pheng as its new chairperson from Apr 1. She will succeed Peter Ho, who has served in that role since April 2012, said URA in a statement on Wednesday (Mar 12).

As chairperson, Ho, who is 70 years old, provided insights to URA on its approach to land use and infrastructure planning, and offered guidance through several rounds of the long-term plan and master plan reviews. As chair of URA’s International Panel of Experts, he also led professionals from around the world to improve urban planning in Singapore.

Ow, who will take over Ho, has been in the public service for more than 38 years, and has held various appointments in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Manpower, JTC, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ministry of National Development (MND). She will retire from her role as permanent secretary for national development on Apr 1, said URA on Feb 28. 

At MND, the 61 year old was involved in efforts to enhance public housing affordability and change the construction industry. She also oversaw the long-term plan review to guide Singapore’s development over the next 50 years, and led the Municipal Services Office to improve delivery of municipal services to residents.

The board will welcome two other members on Apr 1. Loh Chin Hua is the CEO of Keppel, and Janet Young is the managing director for group head channels and digitalisation, and strategic communications and brand at UOB.

Along with Ho, two members of the board will be stepping down. Bill Chang, chief executive officer of Nxera & Digital InfraCo, Singtel; and Ong Kim Pong, group CEO for PSA International, will end their term on Mar 31.

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Following the appointment changes, the board will comprise 12 members.