Visionary Award

Visionary Award
This award was inaugurated in 2016 to recognise the resolute commitment by individuals whose resolute commitment towards a vision have led to societal benefit in Singapore and the region. The award reflects values that are important to SNEC and SERI and that we would like to acknowledge and applaud.

The Visionary Award recipients:

2024: Mr Peter Seah Lim Huat 

Mr Peter Seah Lim Huat is a distinguished public figure celebrated for his exceptional contributions to banking and public service in Singapore. Since 2010, as Chairman of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank, he has propelled DBS to global recognition. His illustrious banking career spans over three decades, including leadership roles at Overseas Union Bank. Beyond banking, Mr Seah holds prominent positions as Chairman of Singapore Airlines, LaSalle College of the Arts and the National Wages Council. He also serves on the boards of GIC Private Limited and STT Communications Ltd and was recently appointed to the Council of Presidential Advisers by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Recognised for his national service, Mr Seah has received prestigious accolades including the Public Service Medal (1995), Public Service Star (1999), Distinguished Service Order (2012), and Order of Nila Utama (Distinction) in 2021.

During his tenure as Chairman of SingHealth from 2009 to 2021, Mr Seah elevated SingHealth to the forefront as a premier Academic Medical Centre in partnership with Duke-NUS Medical School, renowned for pioneering groundbreaking research, advancing educational initiatives and establishing new benchmarks in clinical care. Under his visionary leadership, pivotal institutions flourished, partnerships thrived and significant expansions reshaped the landscape of Singapore's healthcare delivery.

Mr Seah's enduring legacy of excellence and dedication serves as a beacon for future leaders. SNEC gratefully acknowledges Mr Seah's commitment and contributions to advancing healthcare in Singapore and congratulates him on being conferred the Visionary Award 2024.

2019: Dr Chua Thian Poh

2018: Professor Soo Khee Chee

Professor Soo’s name is well known in the healthcare and education circles. A highly respected figure, he was the founding director of the National Cancer Centre Singapore and held various leadership positions in education.

Professor Soo’s passion for people, training, education and research shines through in his daily work. His sincerity, humility and ‘paying it forward’ values have touched countless patients’ lives, empowered numerous young doctors, elevated fundraising into an art and built a culture of medical philanthropy in Singapore’s healthcare community.

2017: Dr Lee Seng Tee

Dr Lee Seng Tee is recognised internationally as an established businessman, major philanthropist and patron of the arts. He is also the Chairman of the Lee Foundation, Singapore’s largest private charitable foundation, whose generosity has paved the way towards better empowerment by education, a robust support system for the underprivileged and the furtherance of the arts in Singapore.

2016: Prof Tommy Koh

Prof Tommy Koh is Singapore’s Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Special Adviser of the Institute of Policy Studies and Chairman of the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore. A familiar name to many Singaporeans, Prof Koh has made significant contributions to local arts and cultural initiatives and is often consulted on international matters.