The Leadership

Charting the Way Forward. Meet the leaders and adult support team.

CHIEF SCOUT

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

President of the Republic of Singapore

The President of the Republic of Singapore is the Chief Scout. The Chief Scout holds the highest authority in the SSA and grants warrants to commissioners recommended by the Association as well as awards to adult leaders. The Chief Scout also awards outstanding Venture Scouts who attained the highest sectional award— the President’s Scout Award. The Scouting Movement in Singapore is led by the Scout Council, supported by the Commissioners’ Council, Headquarters Staff and Leadership Academy.

The Scout Council comprises both the uniformed and lay officials who are responsible for providing strategic direction and financial oversight on the Association. They also help to ensure the necessary funding of youth development in the Association.

To be updated

The Commissioners’ Council manages operational policies and guidelines in their respective functions. They provide the necessary adult support and frameworks for Area and Unit leaders to develop youths as changemakers of the society.

  • Sunil Ravinder Gill

    National Commissioner (Membership) & Assistant International Commissioner

    Sunil oversees the support of our members and the growth of the Scouting community. His core area of focus is on enhancing the Scouting experience. The #YourVoice Campaign is a major step taken to listen to the voice of the Scouting community (including youths, adult leaders and parents), and will enable the Association to create a better Scouting experience for all. The Uniform Review, is a timely look at the existing Singapore Scout uniform, and an opportunity to implement key enhancements that will provide Scouts with a more comfortable and functional uniform.

    Amongst other appointments within the association, he previously served as the National Rover Council Chairperson from 2016-2018. In his free time, he likes to do cycling, photography, rearing ornamental fish and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee.

  • Chua Yong Liang

    National Commissioner (Human Capital)

    Yong Liang oversees the adult leaders and volunteers at the Association. He was also an active youth member, involved in Rovering at the National level.

    In his professional life, he is an executive in the recycling industry.

  • Heng Jiang Li

    National Commissioner (Event)

    Heng Jiang Li is the National Events Commissioner, he oversees events for the association, such as the Diamond Jubilee Challenge campaign, fireside chats and the marching contingent for National Day Parade. Since the ease of the pandemic measure, he assisted in renewing collaborations with the association's partners, conducted JOTA-JOTI as well as resuming the Chief Scout Hospitality Team for the Istana Open House. These events highlighted the importance of young people's involvement with the community-at-large and their role in contributing to a better world.

    Prior to this role, Jiang Li served as a Unit Leader before taking on various area leadership appointments. In his professional life, Jiang Li is a senior project manager at Land Transport Authority. Event management is something that he does regularly at work and he aims to leverage on his expertise to contribute to the Scouting Movement.

  • Nicholas Koh

    National Commissioner (Unit Performance)

    Nicholas oversees the performance assessment of units. In his role, he aims to enable unit leaders to create an environment conducive for the development of Scouts. As such, he reviewed the Frank Cooper Sands Award assessment in 2022 to encourage unit leaders to conduct more relevant and meaningful activities for their Scouts.

    Prior to his current role, he volunteered in a Venture Scout unit. In his professional life, Nicholas is an auditor.

  • Jacky Chong

    National Commissioner (Communications)

    Jacky oversees the Communications portfolio and outreach efforts in the Association. He has been volunteering in Scouts since 2014 and currently aims to enhance Singapore Scouts’ outreach via newsletters and an improved website.

    He credits his enthusiasm in serving to his Cub Scout experience where he benefitted as a youth and the experience spurred him to continue serving in the National Rover Council later on. Professionally, Jacky is a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence.

  • Benjamin Lim

    National Commissioner (Information Technology)

    Benjamin oversees the IT policy and practices within the Association. In his role, he aims to digitalise existing practices by developing a digital transformation roadmap as well as enhancing existing membership portal and develop a learning management system to aid in self-directed learning.

    In his professional life, Benjamin is a cybersecurity executive.

  • Ong Li Yan

    National Commissioner (Community Programme) & Assistant Partnership Commissioner

    Li Yan oversees Community Programme development at the Association, assisting the Area Commissioners in facilitating Community Scout groups hosted in community centers. Developing youth gives her a sense of fulfilment, knowing that she impacted their learning and development journey.

    Though new to Scouting herself, she hopes to inspire more youth to join scouting and impart positive values to them.

  • Irdina Mah

    National Commissioner (Unit Administration) & Assistant International Commissioner

    Irdina handles administration for the Singapore Scout Association, something that she does in her daily work as well. She aims to facilitate the review of the Association’s Policy, Organisation and Rules document. In her free time, she engages in nature and outdoor related activities.

  • Michael Poh

    Deputy International Commissioner

    Michael supports the International Commissioner in external Scout relations regionally and globally. He is a long-time contributor within the Scouting community, known for setting up the Singapore Scout Collectors Club in 2012.

    Professionally, Michael is a business owner in the antique industry.
  • Seah Kia Wee - National Commissioner (Projects) & Assistant Partnership Commissioner

    Seah Kia Wee

    National Commissioner (Projects) & Assistant Partnership Commissioner

    Seah Kia Wee is the National Commissioner (Projects). He explores opportunities for community service and integrating UN SDG education into the SSA's existing programmes.

The Headquarters Staff are full-time professionals who provide necessary administrative support to the Commissioners’ Council and Scout Council. They also ensure the day-to-day management of the Association.

The Leadership Academy comprises appointed Fellows who are recognized for their outstanding service and expertise. They will continue to provide leadership support and advisories to Singapore Scouting.

To be updated