Ho Ching

Did you know that a woman transformed Singapore’s most powerful investment firms? She is none other than Ho Ching, the former CEO of Temasek Holdings, and is the wife of Singapore’s Prime Minister- Lee Hsien Loong. She was born on 27 March, 1954. Her journey from a young engineer to being a leading business woman is a remarkable story.

She excelled both in engineering and finance, making her a true icon of Singapore’s business scenario. The story of Ho Ching is marked with vision, resilience and dedication.

Career Overview

Ho Ching’s career is a testament to her exceptional leadership and strategic vision. Her professional journey began in 1976 with the Ministry of Defence, where she held the positions of Director of Defence Materiel Organisation and Deputy Director of Defence Science Organisation. All the experiences she gained here became the foundation of her future endeavors in technology and management. 

Ho Ching joined as the Director of Engineering at the Singapore Technologies Group in 1987. Later she became the President and the CEO from 1997 to 2001. It was here that she played a significant role in giving shape to the company’s growth. 

Temasek Holdings

In 2002 Ho Ching became the Executive Director of Temasek Holdings. In just two years she was appointed as the CEO, and held this position until the time of her retirement in October 2021. Under Ho Ching’s leadership, Temasek emerged as a global long-term investor, with its portfolio growing significantly during her tenure as the CEO.

During her tenure as the CEO of Temasek, Ho Ching reported to the Board of Temasek Holdings, which was headed by Lim Boon Heng. This structure ensured that Temasek operated independently, with its decisions guided by its board rather than direct control by the government. Being the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, she occasionally faced criticism of nepotism. However, she kept the operation of Temasek transparent and accountable to its shareholders, and the ministry of Finance. 

Education and Honors

Ho Ching completed her Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree from the University of Singapore (now National University of Singapore) and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, USA. The academic achievements of Ho Ching have been recognized with several honors, such as the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus of the National University of Singapore and a Fellow of the Academy of Engineering Singapore.

Public Service and Philanthropy

Ho Ching, despite being the CEO, was also involved in various public services and philanthropic activities. She served as Chairman of the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research and as Second Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Board.

She actively engaged with her roles as the patron of the Autism Association of Singapore and Assisi Hospice Singapore. Ho Ching was also the advisor for the Autism Resource Centre. 

Ho Ching took up the role of Chairman of Temasek Trust after retiring from Temasek Holdings. Temasek Trust is a non-profit philanthropic organization, which started on April 1, 2022. Such a transition from her role as the CEO to being the chairman of the trust showed her ongoing dedication to contribute to the social and economic development of Singapore through philanthropic initiatives. 

Challenges and Controversies

Her life was not short of challenges. Ho Ching had her share of challenges and controversies. One of the most notable issues was the accusation of nepotism raised by Lee Hsien Loong’s siblings in 2017. She was questioned about her positions at Temasek Holdings, whether it was influenced by her marital relationship with the Prime Minister. They both consistently maintained that her appointment was based on merit, and that Temasek operated independently. 

Besides this, there was speculation about her possible membership in the People’s Action Party (PAP), which did not however have any official confirmation. This emerged from her appearance at PAP events. 

Legacy and Impact

The legacy of Ho Ching extended beyond her corporate achievements. Her leadership and commitment inspired many to doing well, doing the right thing, and doing good. Such an attitude helped Temasek Holdings grow and transform significantly, during her tenure, as the major player in global investment.

In addition to her corporate roles, her impact extended in the philanthropic sector as the chairman of Temasek Trust. By focusing on healthcare and social causes, she demonstrated her commitment to improving lives and contributing to societal well-being.