Lim Sim Seng to chair new skills and workforce agency

The 12-member inaugural board will oversee the integration of SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore.

The Ministry of Manpower has appointed Lim Sim Seng as the inaugural chairman of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency.

The new statutory board will be established on 1 July 2026 through the merger of SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore.

Its inaugural board will serve a two-year term until 30 June 2028.

Lim is the deputy chairman of SIA Engineering and previously served as DBS Singapore country head and group head of consumer banking and wealth management.

He will oversee the agency’s strategic direction, governance, organisational development, and coordination with key partners during the transition.

Lim will be supported by 11 other board members from the government, business, labour, technology, and education sectors.

Members include incoming SWDA chief executive Dilys Boey, NTUC deputy secretary-general Cham Hui Fong, Love, Bonito co-founder Rachel Lim, Deloitte Singapore country managing partner Shariq Barmaky, and Keppel data centres chief executive Wong Wai Meng.

MOM said the board’s diverse experience would help SWDA integrate skills development and workforce transformation whilst remaining responsive to the changing needs of workers and employers.

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