Kaplan names Joe Keen Poon as new President for Singapore
- Shawn Liew
- Topics: Home Page - News, Leadership, News, Recruitment, Singapore
Joe Keen Poon has joined Kaplan, a global provider of training and education services, as its new President of Singapore.
In this role, Poon assumes overall responsibility for driving business growth and development for Kaplan in Singapore. He will oversee the strategic direction and operations for Kaplan, spearhead programmes to meet industry demand and strengthen partnerships.
A key focus for Poon will be to tap on the rapid technological and economic changes in Asia to lead Kaplan to develop strategies to shape strong student outcomes.
A Singapore Public Service Commission Scholar, Poon has experience in senior leadership roles across Asia and Europe having successfully led organisations, from start-ups, to turning around very large and mature businesses in Asia.
Prior to joining Kaplan, he headed and led the Smart City Solutions, a subsidiary of Surbana Jurong, to the successful conceptualisation and creation of the Smart City in a Box, a first and Asia’s largest city-wide Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring service in operation.
Poon said, “I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading private education providers at a time where industries across Asia are disrupted by dramatic changes in socio-political balance, demographics and technology.
“Providing sound and strong education for the young and aspirational will be pivotal to shaping the world in decades to come.
“I look forward to working together closely with Singapore Government, our university and industry partners to continue the good work on industry transformation and lifelong learning, by equipping the workforce of today and tomorrow with better learning outcomes through innovative ideas and approaches.”
During the transition period, Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Kaplan in Singapore, will remain in Singapore and work closely with Poon. Johnson will then take on a new role at Kaplan International, and will be based in the UK from September 2020 onwards, where he will continue to be closely involved in the business at Kaplan in Singapore.
