After open nominations, winners were decided by a panel of representatives from both the public and private sectors. This year’s panel comprised 11 judges and was chaired by former Singapore Airlines chairman Stephen Lee.
Wong played a pivotal role in transforming Charles & Keith from a shoe retailer in Amara Shopping Centre to a fashion brand with distinct identity, said the judges.
He also initiated the digitalisation of the group’s operations and launched an e-commerce site even before online shopping became the norm.
Founded in 1996 by Wong and his brother Keith, Charles & Keith now has almost 700 outlets in more than 30 countries, and an online sales presence in nearly 60 markets.
Meanwhile, the Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year award went to Keppel CEO Loh Chin Hua.
Under his leadership, Keppel transformed from an industrial conglomerate to a global asset manager and operator, and posted record profits of S$4.1 billion in FY2023.
Said Loh: “Those of us in this room know all too well that transformation is difficult; this is especially so for companies that are still doing well.
“Yet, without taking the risks associated with transformation, the company might eventually be supplanted and made irrelevant.”
David Su, founding managing partner of venture capital firm Matrix Partners China, was named Outstanding Overseas Executive of the Year.
The firm’s early successful investments in China include electric vehicle manufacturers Li Auto and Xpeng, as well as ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing and food delivery player Ele.me.
Private healthcare company HMI Medical took home the Enterprise Award.
The company, which unveiled a new logo on Thursday, has expanded from being a hospital-focused healthcare provider. Its other businesses include a primary healthcare chain, ambulatory care, ophthalmology, cardiovascular health, and a medical benefits administration arm.
The Young Business Leader of the Year award went to Adeline Sim, chief corporate officer of recruitment and staffing firm HRnetGroup.
The panel found that she was instrumental in identifying and executing investments for the group, and spearheaded its digitalisation efforts.
Noting the SBA’s purpose as a platform to celebrate the “remarkable achievements” of business leaders, BT editor Chen Huifen said: “The dedication and ingenuity demonstrated by each award recipient are a testament to the vibrant spirit of entrepreneurship driving our economy forward.”
DHL Express Singapore senior vice-president and managing director Christopher Ong, one of the judges on the panel, said: “As we applaud the achievements of these outstanding business leaders, we also honour the passion, grit and commitment to innovation and progress that brought them to where they are today.
“In doing so, they have inspired many and set a standard for the rest of the business world to follow.”
