After 21 years of serving The Esplanade Co Ltd, first as a Board Member since 2003 and as its Chairman from January 2015, Lee Tzu Yang will be stepping down on 31 Mar 2024. Lim Ming Yan, current Deputy Chairman of Esplanade and Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation, will assume chairmanship from 1 Apr 2024.

Mr Lim Ming Yan is an Independent/Non-Executive Director on the boards of SembCorp Industries Limited, DLF Cyber City Developers Limited and China Vanke Co. Limited. He is also the Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), a Board member of Enterprise Singapore, and Singapore Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Mauritius. In his 22 years at CapitaLand Limited, Mr Lim was President and Group CEO from 2013 to 2018. He was also CEO of The Ascott Limited from 2009 to 2012 and CEO of CapitaLand China from 2000 to 2009. Mr Lim graduated with a first-class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom in 1985. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2002.

“We thank Mr Lee for his strong and personable leadership of the Esplanade Board and his immeasurable contributions through all 21 years. He has a deep understanding of Singapore’s arts and cultural scene, and hence of the role that Esplanade plays as the national performing arts centre. Mr Lee not only lent his corporate perspectives and networks to help steer Esplanade’s governance and various phases of growth, he also took the time to connect with the management and staff, as well as championed arts philanthropy. We couldn’t have asked for a more supportive Chairman,” said Yvonne Tham, CEO, The Esplanade Co Ltd.

During his tenure as Chairman, Mr Lee supported the accomplishment of key milestones of Esplanade. These included the successful conceptualisation and completion of the new Singtel Waterfront Theatre; Esplanade’s transformation as a digital performing arts centre which leverages on technology to bring its programmes to wider audiences and communities; the deepening of Esplanade’s role in developing industry capabilities through the new Esplanade Academy, as well as getting the organisation back on track post-pandemic. New works that Esplanade have commissioned and produced together with Singapore and Asian artists have also been invited to tour overseas in recent years. He has effectively led the Board, and continuously encouraged constructive discussions and contributions from Board Members throughout these times.

Under his chairmanship, Mr Lee has made significant contributions to Esplanade’s development of specialised arts programmes for the underserved communities. These range from songwriting and theatre programmes that enable at-risk-youths to express themselves better through the arts, to intergenerational music and dance programmes that allow the young and old to understand each other’s needs. In addition, Mr Lee also played an instrumental role in ensuring that Esplanade practises the highest standards of corporate governance to protect the interest of our stakeholders. This is key to Esplanade being a recipient of the Charity Governance Award – Special Commendation for Clarity of Strategy in 2016 and 2022, as well as the Charity Transparency Award from 2016 – 2023.

Lee Tzu Yang said, “It’s been an incredible journey, witnessing Esplanade’s growth in the past 21 years as it brings the joy of the arts to Singapore’s diverse communities. The management and staff have been exceptional. It has been a joy to see how individuals and groups have grown their craft, and our alumni continue to make us proud. I have been privileged to work with a succession of outstanding board chairpersons and colleagues on these developments. I have every confidence that Ming Yan and members on the Board of Directors will continue to guide Team Esplanade to achieve greater success.”

Turning 22 this October, Esplanade remains committed to ensure the arts is accessible to everyone and to support our next generation of Singapore artists in their creation of content for the international stage.

Lim Ming Yan said, “I’m excited and honoured to be given this opportunity to work with the Board of Directors and management of Esplanade to realise the vision of enriching the lives of our community through the arts. I am thankful that we are not on this journey alone but with the strong support of many stakeholders. Most importantly, I am also grateful for the strong foundation laid by Tzu Yang in his 21 years of service on the Board including nine years as the Chairman.”

Photo Courtesy of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

More information about Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay available here