EDB’s Tan Kong Hwee to take over as Ipos chief executive from March 1

Mr Tan Kong Hwee will be chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Ipos) from March 1, taking over from Mrs Rena Lee.

Prior to this, he will be appointed chief executive (designate) on Feb 10, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said in a news release on Jan 10.

Mr Tan is a member of the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) executive committee and the board’s executive vice-president overseeing the global enterprises and marketing group.

He started his career in public service with the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2002. In 2006, he joined EDB’s infocomms and media division and was later posted to Japan and Europe.

“Under Kong Hwee’s leadership, EDB made significant strides pursuing new frontiers and investment projects for economic development in a wide range of sectors,” MinLaw said.

“He also led the management of relationships with top local and international companies in his capacity as EVP (executive vice-president) of EDB’s accounts group, prior to his current appointment.”

Mrs Lee, the incumbent chief executive, will assume a full-time position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Singapore’s ambassador for international law.

She has held the post of Ipos chief executive since Aug 1, 2020.

“During her term, she led her team to elevate Singapore’s position as a global intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets hub,” MinLaw said.

The ministry added that Mrs Lee and her team drove the implementation of the Singapore IP Strategy 2030 to support enterprises and the wider innovation community, and strengthen Singapore’s attractiveness for IP and intangible assets activities.

Mrs Lee also pushed legislative and policy reforms to the IP regime and continued efforts in international engagement with IP officers around the world on issues relevant to the global IP ecosystem.

As chief executive, she led Singapore’s delegations in treaty negotiations as well, contributing to the adoption of two new World Intellectual Property Organisation treaties.

“Under her leadership, Singapore maintained its position as the most innovative country in the South-east Asia, East Asia and Oceania region in the Global Innovation Index, and achieved its highest global ranking in a decade, ranking fourth globally,” MinLaw said.

Dr Stanley Lai, chairman of the Ipos board of directors, thanked Mrs Lee for her “tireless service”.

“We wish her the very best in her new endeavours, including her candidacy for the International Court of Justice bench,” he said.

Permanent Secretary for Law Luke Goh said: “Under (Mrs Lee’s) leadership, Singapore as a global innovation hub has grown steadily, and our intellectual property ecosystem has flourished.

“We are confident that Rena will continue contributing strongly in service to Singapore, and wish her success in her future roles.”

Both also welcomed the incoming chief executive, Mr Tan.

“We look forward to working with him and the management of Ipos to take the mission and regulation of intellectual property to new heights, both nationally and internationally,” said Dr Lai.

Source: Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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