SINGAPORE – Head of the civil service Leo Yip will retire from the administrative service on April 1 after 43 years of service in the public sector, the Public Service Division (PSD) said on Monday (March 9).
Mr Yip also serves as Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Permanent Secretary (PMO) (Strategy).
Permanent Secretary for Defense Chan Heng Kee will take up his duties on April 1.
Thanking Mr Yip, Minister in charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Leo for his exemplary leadership and extensive contributions to the Public Service and Singapore over four decades.”
Yip began his career with the Singapore Police Force in 1982.
He held various positions throughout his career, including principal private secretary to then Chief Minister Lee Kuan Yew, permanent secretary (Manpower), chairman of the Economic Development Board and permanent secretary (Home Affairs).
He was appointed Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the PMO (Strategy) in 2017, concurrent with his appointments as Permanent Secretary (PMO) and Permanent Secretary (Intelligence and National Security Coordination) of the PMO.
During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023, Yip led the public service’s collective response to the crisis, including leading work to procure vaccines and ensure Singapore emerged stronger.
“As Head of the Public Service and throughout his career, Leo has worked with distinction and dedication in a wide range of sectors. He was instrumental in charting a new direction, expanding boundaries and strengthening capabilities in the Public Service,” the PSD said.
In recognition of his distinguished contributions to public service, Mr. Yip was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2018.
NEW CHIEF OF CIVIL SERVICE
His replacement, Mr Chan, will continue to serve as Permanent Secretary for National Security and Intelligence Coordination under the PMO, but will relinquish his appointments as Permanent Secretary for Defense and Permanent Secretary (PMO) (Special Duties).
Mr Chan worked in various ministries before his appointment as Under Secretary (Development) in the Public Service Division of the PMO and, at the same time, executive director of the School of Civil Service in 2006.
He was appointed chief executive of the then Singapore Workforce Development Agency in 2008 and permanent secretary of the then Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in May 2011.
He served as Permanent Secretary (Social and Family Development) from 2012 to 2016 and was appointed Permanent Secretary (Health) in May 2016 before assuming his current appointment as Permanent Secretary (Defence) in December 2019.
He was simultaneously appointed Permanent Secretary (PMO) (Special Duties) in May 2025 and Permanent Secretary (Intelligence and National Security Coordination) of the PMO in December 2025.
CHANGES IN APPOINTMENTS AND REDESIGNMENT OF PERMANENT SECRETARY
There will also be a new appointment of Permanent Secretary, several changes to current appointments and a redesignation on 1 April.
- Ms Foo Chi Hsia will be appointed Second Permanent Secretary (Digital Development) of the Ministry of Information and Digital Development, Second Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation), PMO and Second Permanent Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Joseph Leong will be appointed Permanent Secretary (Defence) and will relinquish his appointments as Permanent Secretary (Information and Digital Development), Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation), PMO and Permanent Secretary (Cyber Security), PMO.
- Mr Chng Kai Fong will be appointed Permanent Secretary (Information and Digital Development), Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation) of the PMO and Permanent Secretary (Cyber Security) of the PMO.
- Mr Lai Chung Han will be appointed Permanent Secretary (PMO) (Special Duties), concurrent with his appointment as Permanent Secretary (Finance).
- Ms Ngiam Siew Ying will be appointed Second Permanent Secretary (National Development), concurrent with her appointment as Second Permanent Secretary (Finance).
- Mr Luke Goh Peng Ee, Permanent Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be redesignated as Permanent Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will continue simultaneously as Permanent Secretary (Law).