Kevin Chong
Mechanical Engineering
School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Summary
20 years of experience in successful new business development across Asia Pacific and Central Asia for large public infrastructure and complex real estate development projects. Established new high performing regional offices in China and Kazakhstan and possesses strong team management qualities and excellence in operations. Adaptable to challenging business environments with a focus on service excellence. Accomplished speaker for Digital Government Transformation and Change Management in international and local conferences.
Key Strengths and Experience
• Excellent in relationship management and influencing, negotiating and liaising with clients (both public and private sector) at top levels and 10 years with Singapore Government
• Good understanding of risks and opportunities in Asia Pacific region from over 10 years of working closely with foreign governments and MNCs to deliver public sector projects
• Strong understanding of financial, HR, and operational requirements in both Singapore and Kazakhstan jurisdiction, and ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects successfully
• Highly organised with ability to manage self and team, and optimise resources to achieve companys targets and objectives
Featured Skills
Work Experience
Director, Business Development Jan 2022 - Present
ST Engineering SingaporeResponsibilities include:
- Business Development for Smart Utilities and Infrastructure
- Corporate Strategy and Planning for charting growth and development of Smart Utilities and Infrastructure
- Liaising across different Line of Businesses within the Group to synergize efforts and streamline development goals
Centre Director Sep 2021 - Dec 2021
SME Centre @SICCI SingaporeTo provide business advisory services to SMEs and Singapore and support them in their growth and development. As Centre Director, I manage the overall operations of the centre and report KPIs to the Board and Enterprise Singapore, whose funding makes it possible.
Regional Director Apr 2018 - Aug 2021
Meinhardt Group KazakhstanBased in Nur-Sultan (Astana) to spearhead Meinhardt’s new regional office for Central Asia region. Developed effective market penetration strategy that appeals to Kazakhstan Government and clients. Led presentations and discussions with top political leaders and government officials to raise brand awareness for Meinhardt in Central Asia leading to pipeline of large infrastructure project opportunities (LRT, airport, and water).
Established and maintained operating procedures and processes to support remote project teams. Responsible for finances, HR, visas, IT infrastructure and implemented Balanced Scorecard for performance management.
• Responsible for the formation of effective multi-disciplinary project teams to deliver complex infrastructure and real estate projects, such as Astana LRT and infrastructure master plan for 340ha development.
• Led in negotiations for US$180m water desalination project in Mangystau, Kazakhstan on behalf of foreign investor. (Negotiations ongoing, NDA)
• Tendered for 20 projects with EBRD, ADB, and WB, shortlisted for 7, across Central Asia and Georgia. Progress severely hampered by COVID-19 situation.
Director, Asia Pacific Aug 2008 - Feb 2018
Singapore Cooperation Enterprise SingaporeResponsible for opening up new markets and identifying government project opportunities for Singapore companies in the Asia Pacific region, and management of team of project managers to ensure smooth delivery of secured projects.
• Established new markets in Cambodia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Thailand leading to the securing of advisory and public infrastructure/services projects.
• Active participation in PPP transaction advisory projects in Indonesia (greenfield water treatment plant) and Mongolia (brownfield airport). Establishment of a in-house PPP Unit to complement work of transaction advisors.
• Identification, seeding and establishment of large-scale investment projects from needs assessment, master planning, advisory on investment friendly policies, investment promotion and implementation/development.
• Stablised and consolidated projects in emerging markets (Indonesia and Mongolia) that faced leadership changes or other challenges resulting in delays for the Singapore consortiums.
• Experience in working with NGOs and philanthropic organisations to deliver advisory and capacity building projects in Asia Pacific region.
In 2014, was appointed to Management Team of the company and was responsible for updating Board and CEO with regular management updates and presentation. Oversaw the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the company.
Education
Masters in Business Administration (Business Administration) Jul 2012 - Apr 2015
University Of Manchester United KingdomBSc. Engineering (Mechanical) (Mechanical Engineering) Jul 1997 - Apr 2001
Nanyang Technological University SingaporeOther Skills
Q&A with Kevin Chong
What was the most significant event that made you the way you are now?
My time in Kazakhstan and being expose to a whole new culture, and seeing first hand the difference between the have and have not. Its not something new, I had expected it but to be there and live through it, really opened my mind.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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What area are you most interested in regarding your current career?
The ability to help SMEs in Singapore and help them through this challenging times.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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What is your personal goal in your profession?
What kind of education or training did you find most useful in your field?
My MBA from University of Manchester. It broadened my mind and network.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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What are your strongest skills that have contributed to your success in this field?
Have you considered going into other fields? What other fields do you think you are well-suited for and why?
Im moving towards giving back to society and started with SME Centre. Perhaps one day I will go into developmental programmes overseas to help out the under-privileged.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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How would you describe your career in one sentence?
Eventful in a good way, and theres nothing I would do to change it.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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How do you attempt to overcome your lack of knowledge in particular areas?
How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Passionate about giving back to society and developmental goals.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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What are some personal projects or ideas you have worked on or are working on now?
In times of COVID, Im happy to be here in SME Centre helping out the SMEs through this very challenging times.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?
Yes, it has led me to become the person I am today and I am thankful for that. There are little things along the way that I wished I couldve done better at, but overall my journey has been wonderful.
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- Posted 3 years ago
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