Famous Singaporean Business People

Singaporean singer, songwriter, record-producer and actor JJ Lin launched his career in music with the album Music Voyager that won him Best New Artist award at the 15th Golden Melody Awards. Moving on, Lin spawned other award-winning albums like Westside and Stories Untold. Lin has his own fashion-line, SMUDGE, and has featured in commercials for brands like Beats and Sprite.    

Ho Ching is a Singaporean businesswoman and the current director of Temasek Trust. She is married to Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore. In 2014, she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. In 2020, Ho Ching was named in the world's most powerful women list by Forbes magazine.

Jeanette Aw is a Singaporean actress, writer, filmmaker, and businesswoman. She achieved widespread fame in 2008 when she landed the leading role of Huang Juxiang in the popular drama serial The Little Nyonya. Thanks to her successful television career, Jeanette Aw is regarded as one of the most famous and high-profile celebrities in Singapore. 

Singaporean businessman Lee Hsien Yang is the son of former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, and brother of current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Yang served in the Singapore Armed Forces for almost two-decades and retired as Brigadier-General. Following his military-career, Yang held several administrative positions including as CEO in SingTel. He joined Progress Singapore Party in 2020.      

A self-made business tycoon, Singaporean entrepreneur Adam Khoo had become a millionaire at 26. The founder of one of Asia’s biggest education and training groups, he also owns an online trading school. He has penned countless bestselling books, has held seminars worldwide, and is the most-watched YouTube trading mentor.

Tan See Leng is a Singaporean politician best known for his service as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office from 27 July 2020 to 14 May 2021. He is the current Minister for Manpower as well as the Second Minister for Trade and Industry. Tan See Leng also served as the Second Minister for Manpower from 2020 to 2021.

Khoo Teck Puat was an entrepreneur and banker remembered for owning the Goodwood Group of hotels in Singapore and London. Khoo established himself as the wealthiest man in Singapore and was named among the richest people in the world by Forbes in 2004. A philanthropist, Khoo established the Khoo Foundation, which donated towards the construction of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Malaysian business-magnate Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan is a co-founder of the Malaysia based conglomerate Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad. He serves as its Chairman and oversees Malaysian operations of Hong Leong Group. Counted among the richest men in the country, as for February 16, 2021, Chan’s net-worth is listed at US$9.9 Billion and he is ranked 147th on Forbes.

Wong Kan Seng is a Singaporean retired politician best known for his service as the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore from 1 September 2005 to 20 May 2011. He also served as the Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Community Development.

Singaporean businessman, radio-DJ and TV-host Daniel Ong co-founded the Singapore based cupcake-chain Twelve Cupcakes in 2011 with his then wife Jaime Teo. It was sold to Dhunseri Group in 2017 following the couple’s divorce. Showbiz career of Ong saw him featuring in the TV-sitcom Mr. Kiasu, co-hosting second season of Singapore Idol and working as a radio deejay in 987FM.   

Wong Li Lin is a Singaporean businesswoman and media personality. Former actress, dancer, and TV host, Wong was named among the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes at the third Star Awards Ceremony in 1997. Over the years, Wong Li Lin has also held leadership roles across organizations like Thomson Medical and Parkway Pantai.

Nora Ariffin is a Singaporean realtor and fashion model. Ariffin is a household name in Singapore, having appeared in campaigns for brands like CoverGirl, L'Oréal, Chanel, and Lacoste. She has also modeled for popular magazines like Vogue Paris, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan. Nora Ariffin has also worked with famous photographers like Guy Bourdin, Gilles Bensimon, and Herb Ritts.

Singaporean actress, media-host, musician, media-producer, communications and media-trainer, and businessperson Eunice Olsen became 2000 Miss Singapore Universe and received 2006 Singapore Youth Award and 2008 ASEAN Youth Award. In 2004, she became a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore and served for two terms. She advocates for women empowerment and other social issues, created WomenTalk.com and founded Eunice Olsen Media.

Constance Song is a Singaporean model, actress, and entrepreneur. She is best known for her portrayal of the villainous Jiang Ruolin in the Singaporean Chinese drama The Ultimatum, for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2010 Star Awards Ceremony.

Thomas P. Campbell is a Singaporean-born British businessman best known as the CEO and director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Between 2009 and 2017, Thomas Campbell served as the CEO and director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Michelle Goh is a Singaporean entrepreneur and actress. She is best known for playing important roles in Canadian and American TV series like Da Vinci's Inquest, Smallville, and Human Cargo. As an entrepreneur, Michelle Goh is credited with founding a floating therapy wellness centre called Float House in 2014.

Tan Chong Tee, a noted badminton player, won several tournaments including the Malaysia Open singles and the Singapore Open singles. He joined Force 136 as a Chinese resistance fighter after Fall of Singapore (1942) during Second World War. He was captured and kept in captivity by the Japanese after Operation Gustavus failed, and later released in 1945 following Japanese surrender.