Industry veteran assumes leadership from today
CFA Society Singapore (“the Society”) today announced the appointment of Chan Choong Tho, CFA, as chief executive officer (CEO). He assumes the newly-created role with immediate effect.
Mr Chan joins Singapore’s leading investment professional body at the helm after a stellar career of more than 25 years in the industry. His depth of experience ranges from research and portfolio investment to senior management roles, gained from diverse stints across start-ups, boutique fund houses and major international financial institutions. He has served variously as a vice president at Salomon Smith Barney Sdn Bhd, general manager at RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd, and as the chief investment officer of Pheim Asset Management and Great Eastern Life Assurance (Singapore and Malaysia respectively), before starting his own fund management firm.
Mr Chan is a familiar face within the CFA community. A member of the Singapore Society since 2010, he has been an active Society volunteer over the years, most recently serving as chair of the Mentorship sub-committee.
His blend of professional expertise, Society experience, and commitment to serving the community makes him an ideal candidate for the CEO role. Said Ms. Tan Lay Hoon, CFA, president of the Society’s board of directors: “After a careful search process, we are delighted to have Choong Tho on board. As a not-for-profit, CFA Society Singapore is mission-driven. We believe that someone of Choong Tho’s calibre will be pivotal in helping us to promote the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.”
As CEO, Mr Chan will head an eight-person strong team in serving the Society’s membership base of more than 3,800. His principal responsibilities include building relationships with key employers and industry bodies, deepening regulatory engagement, and strengthening the impact as well as recognition of the Society as a thought leader and voice for the investment management industry.
Ms. Tan said that the CEO recruitment was part of a concerted, strategic effort to improve the Society’s expanded suite of services. She said: “We recognize that to better serve our members and the community, we need to improve governance, professionalise our staffing and operational support.” With backing from CFA Institute, the Singapore Society has doubled its headcount from four full-time employees in 2017 to eight now, handling professional development programmes and executive workshops, advocacy, networking events, membership drives, university engagement, digital content and social media engagement.
Mr Simon Ng, CFA, deputy president of the board, highlighted the contributions of existing staff, in particular long-time employees who deserve full credit for running one of the largest and most active CFA member societies in the world. “Our secretariat began as a one-man show in 2008 and up until recent years, relied on a core team of three to four. This is a first-rate team who has done an incredible job ramping up and delivering our programs over the years. We’re immensely grateful for their loyalty and dedication. They are an invaluable resource and will continue to provide crucial support to the Society as we move into this next phase of development.”
Said Mr Chan: “I am indeed humbled to be appointed CEO of CFA Society Singapore. I look forward to engaging with multiple stakeholders to further the mission of the Society and to enhance value for all members, as we face an exciting new era of change and disruptive innovation in the industry.”
About CFA Society Singapore
Founded in 1987, CFA Society Singapore is part of the worldwide network of CFA Institute member societies that lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. CFA Society Singapore represents the interests of more than 3,800 investment professionals in Singapore through advocacy, education, events, and professional development. CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials and is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. There are more than 167,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in 164 markets.
For more information visit www.cfasociety.org/singapore and www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn at @CFA-Society-Singapore and on Facebook.com/CFASocietySingapore.