Former banker to helm PAP Community Foundation
PUBLISHED ONMay 16, 2015 8:00 AMByRachel Chang
The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) has appointed former banker Victor Bay Swee Huat as its new chief executive.
The 52-year-old takes charge of the ruling party's charity arm in July, when Mr Tay Swee Yee leaves after six years at its helm.
Mr Bay, who was formerly the People's Action Party (PAP) branch secretary in Ang Mo Kio-Hougang, comes to the role after 26 years in the banking industry, working in such areas as wealth management, corporate credit and trade services.
His last stop was head of consumer banking at RHB Bank.
The PCF, which runs a large network of pre-schools and senior care service centres in the HDB heartland, said Mr Bay "brings with him extensive senior-management experience in the private sector, grassroots and community organisations".
He is also chairman of the Swiss Cottage School Advisory Council.
In a statement, Mr Bay said he was "honoured and thrilled" at the appointment. "The PCF is committed not just to nurturing a generation of future Singaporeans through a quality pre-school programme, but also equally dedicated to providing other welfare and community services," he said.
PCF executive committee chairman Lawrence Wong, who is Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, said "it's not easy to find someone from the private sector to come over to the non-profit charitable sector".
"I'm glad that Victor has felt the conviction to make this move, and I believe he will bring useful skills and perspectives to lead PCF forward," he added.
The PAP's charity arm is traditionally led by a veteran party member. Mr Wong thanked Mr Tay, 56, whom he said led a restructuring of the organisation to centralise its kindergarten and childcare centres. More than 165 PCF centres achieved the Spark certification under his watch, Mr Wong added, referring to the Government's accreditation for good pre-school programmes.
rchang@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 16, 2015.
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