Loh Kok Choy – Vistage Chair Profile

In recent years, KOK CHOY (“KC”) has been known for his work as a tireless champion for the cause of small and medium sized enterprises. Prior to joining the Singapore public sector, he spent more than 20 years in the private sector where he gained a deep understanding of the needs of enterprises and the role the public service can play in their growth.

In his seven years with SPRING Singapore (the Singapore Standards and Productivity Board), KC introduced many programmes to improve the business environment for local enterprises.

Some of these programmes, such as Partner Singapore and Business Connect, helped local enterprises expand their markets. Many other programmes were designed to improve enterprises’ access to finance. His greatest contribution, however, towards the development of enterprise was his relentless effort to help enterprises navigate the government bureaucracy.

Before joining SPRING Singapore, KC spent many years in the petrochemical industry. He started his career as an engineer, joining Esso at the time when it was constructing its refinery in Singapore. Later, he was involved in the expansion of the refinery’s processing capacity from 80,000 barrels per day to 200,000 barrels per day. Years later, after a period working in other industries, he returned to the petrochemical industry, this time as a member of the BP team that implemented the company’s diversification and acquisition programme.

In the 10 years between his two stints in the petrochemical industry, KC worked first in the fabrication of oil rigs and then as a contract manufacturer. He turned around the ailing contract manufacturer, which manufactured toiletries and other household chemicals, transforming it into a contract manufacturer of specialty chemicals for the growing electronics and aviation industries.

In his two decades in the private sector, KC had the opportunities to work in many different management capacities. He is thus well versed not only in general and strategic management, but also in business development and sales management, production and quality management, and financial management.

KC, a Colombo Plan Scholar, earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Degree from the University of Canterbury.

KC is happily married. His wife works in a US Multi-National Corporation. They have two children, one a Research Fellow at the Medical Research Centre in UK, the other a medical undergraduate at the Imperial College in London.

KC has been associated with TEC since early 2004 as an Accredited TEC Chair after having attended the intensive Chair training course.