At the helm: Poon Hong Yuen to take over as SNEF CEO in December 2026

Poon will succeed Hao Shuo, bringing experience in workforce policy, enterprise development, and the digital economy to the role.

Poon Hong Yuen (pictured above) will be appointed Chief Executive Officer (Designate) of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) from 1 November 2026, before assuming the role of CEO on 1 December 2026.

He will succeed Hao Shuo, who is leaving SNEF to take up a new appointment within the public service.

Poon is currently Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI). He previously served as Deputy Secretary (Workforce) at the Ministry of Manpower and Chief Executive of then SPRING Singapore.

His experience spans workforce policy, enterprise development, and Singapore’s digital economy, areas relevant to SNEF’s work with employers amid rapid technological and economic change.

Kuah Boon Wee, President of SNEF, said Poon’s experience would support SNEF’s work in representing employers’ interests, strengthening tripartism and helping businesses adopt emerging technologies for workforce transformation and sustainable growth.

Hao joined SNEF as CEO in December 2024. During his tenure, he worked with employers, unions and the Government on employment policy and law reviews, employer support, and workforce transformation.

Under his leadership, SNEF strengthened its policy, research, and communications capabilities and deepened engagement with employers. Its membership grew to more than 4,000 corporate members, representing approximately 900,000 employees.

Kuah thanked Hao for his contributions to SNEF and tripartism, highlighting his work with the Ministry of Manpower and the National Trades Union Congress on policy reviews, including the Employment Act review and tripartite efforts to advance senior employment.

Under Poon's leadership, SNEF will continue working with tripartite partners to support a more competitive, resilient and future-ready economy, with a focus on helping businesses and workers navigate workforce and technological change.

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Lead image / SNEF