• Mr Tee Tua Ba steps down after 13 years of distinguished service
• New Chairman Mr Tan Kai Hoe, a former Red Cross Youth cadet

Singapore, 30 November 2020 - The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is pleased to announce that President Halimah Yacob has appointed Mr Tan Kai Hoe（陈开河） as Chairman of the SRC Council, with effect from 1 December 2020. He succeeds Mr Tee Tua Ba, who has served on the Council for 13 years, and as Chairman for 12 years.

President Halimah Yacob, Patron of the Singapore Red Cross, said, "The Singapore Red Cross fulfils a critical role in meeting the social needs in our community. It has been serving the elderly and disabled, uplifting families-in-need, building community resilience through blood donor recruitment and encouraging first-aid learning. Exemplifying the humanitarian mission of the Singapore Red Cross, Mr Tee Tua Ba had influenced and inspired its volunteer culture. Today, he passes the baton to Mr Tan Kai Hoe, whose personal Red Cross journey started as a Red Cross Youth cadet. With his private and public sector experience, I am confident that Mr Tan will bring an additional dimension to motivate more people to embrace the humanitarian mission.”

Addressing his new appointment, Mr Tan Kai Hoe said, “I am very honoured to take over the leadership role from Mr Tee, someone whom I respect deeply and learnt a lot from over the years. On behalf of the Council, I would like to pay tribute to Mr Tee for his strong leadership as Chairman and the numerous contributions he has made to advance the humanitarian mission of Singapore Red Cross over the years.” 

“In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the growing humanitarian needs and tough economic and fundraising landscape, we will be faced with evolving priorities and hence, new challenges. Together with the rest of the Council and SRC management team, I look forward to building on Mr Tee’s success, to continue to serve the vulnerable in Singapore and beyond.”

Mr Tan Kai Hoe’s journey with SRC started back in 1979 when he was a Red Cross Youth Cadet during his secondary school days. He  served as a SRC Council Member from 2011 to 2014 and from 2016 till present. During his terms, he also served as the Chairman of Oversight Committees, such as the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee and subsequently the Finance and Investment Committee. He was appointed Vice Chairman of Singapore Red Cross from 2017. 

Mr Tan Kai Hoe is currently President and CEO of Accuron Technologies, a role he has held since 1 August 2015. Before joining the group, Mr Tan had served many years in the public sector. He was the Chief Executive of SPRING Singapore, from May 2013 to July 2015. Prior to joining SPRING Singapore, he was a career naval officer in the Republic of Singapore Navy, and has served in a range of command and staff positions including the Fleet Commander and the Chief of Staff – Naval Staff. Over the years, Mr Tan has also served on the boards of various companies and not-for-profit organisations.

On the change, Mr Tee Tua Ba said, “​It has been a real privilege and honour to serve as Chairman of the Singapore Red Cross for the past 12 years. I am very proud of the work the Society has done to further the humanitarian cause, internationally and more significantly, within the local community. I look forward to seeing SRC continue making a positive impact on society by uplifting the lives of the vulnerable, under Kai Hoe’s leadership.”

Mr Tee Tua Ba took over as Chairman of the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) in 2008, having joined the SRC Council in 2007. In his 12 years of chairmanship, Mr Tee has championed several institutional changes. In 2012, he spearheaded the major constitutional review of the SRC to streamline the organisational structure. These changes led to a more corporate structure for the SRC, and made it a more nimble organisation that was able to respond faster to changes in Singapore’s dynamic social environment. 

In the light of the increasing social gaps, as well as the aging population, Mr Tee led the review and eventual re-prioritisation of SRC’s local humanitarian services. This resulted in the introduction of vital humanitarian services for the most vulnerable in the community and the growing number of elderly poor. He has also played a key role in strengthening SRC’s international relations and disaster response, including forging stronger partnerships and relationships with various sister national societies in other countries.

Under his leadership, SRC was awarded the top honours in the Charity Governance Award in 2013, and the Charity Transparency Award in subsequent years. 

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO, Singapore Red Cross, said, “Over the last 12 years, Mr Tee has provided sound guidance and dedicated leadership in enhancing the humanitarian services of the Singapore Red Cross to the vulnerable. On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank Mr Tee for his numerous contributions and invaluable advice over the years.”

He added, “We are delighted to welcome Kai Hoe as our new Chairman. Many of us have worked with him in various capacities over the last few years. His extensive experience of business leadership and advisory roles will be vital as we continue to work towards our mission of relieving human suffering, protecting human lives and dignity and responding to emergencies, both locally and beyond.”