Sean Chiao, who was a senior executive at AECOM, has been named new group CEO of Surbana Jurong. Chiao takes over the role vacated by Wong Heang Fine, who retired last September.
In its announcement on March 9, Surbana Jurong says Chiao brings to the firm more than 35 years’ experience in design and engineering consulting for the built environment as well as global business leadership.
His most recent role at AECOM was chief executive for buildings and places global business line. Chiao had also headed AECOM's Asia Pacific business as its president.
He is to help Surbana Jurong, a portfolio company of Temasek Holdings, accelerate its transformation into a global consulting leader in urban, infrastructure and managed services.
Chiao, who was from Taiwan, holds a degree in architecture and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University.
“Sean has extensive Asia Pacific as well as global experience, deep insights to the industry and an outstanding track record of business results,” says Surbana Jurong’s chairman Chaly Mah.
See also: OCBC China appoints Seth Tan new head of corporate banking
“We are confident that we have found in Sean the right leader for Surbana Jurong as we advance the implementation of SJ 2.0, the group’s roadmap to becoming one of the top urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firms in Asia Pacific.”
Chiao says that in recent years, he has seen how Surbana Jurong accelerate its strategy around client focus, sustainability, and data-driven solutions.
“I’m inspired by the SJ 2.0 strategy to position Surbana Jurong for leadership in an era of sustainability and digital transformation, and as an employer of choice in the built environment, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to fulfil these aspirations,” says Chiao.
“In becoming a leading urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firm, Surbana Jurong will be able to provide the full scope of our global expertise to clients and communities everywhere,” he adds.
