Appointment of New Board Chairman to the Singapore Totalisator Board

The Minister for Finance has appointed Professor Lily Kong as Board Chairman-Designate of the Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board) with effect from 1 November 2026 and as Board Chairman with effect from 1 January 2027. She will succeed Mrs Mildred Tan, who has served as Board Chairman since 1 January 2021.

Contributions of Mrs Mildred Tan

2. Since her appointment, Mrs Mildred Tan has significantly strengthened Tote Board’s contributions to Singapore's social and community initiatives, with annual grant disbursements increasing by 16% to more than $550 million. In FY2025/26, Tote Board supported over 1,000 ongoing grant projects led by more than 400 grantees and partners. She steered Tote Board towards an outcome-driven approach to create social impact, with a strong emphasis on accountability, effectiveness and sustainability of funded initiatives. She also championed digital transformation and organisational capability building, positioning Tote Board to respond effectively to evolving needs and deliver greater impact for Singapore.

3. Mrs Tan provided astute guidance to the Singapore Turf Club following the decision to close their operations. She helped to facilitate a coordinated and orderly closure with an emphasis on responsible governance and the preservation of the Club's legacy. She also put in place strong oversight and governance of Singapore Pools, following the introduction of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act and the Gambling Control Act in 2022.

About Professor Lily Kong

4. Professor Lily Kong is the President of Singapore Management University (SMU), making history as the first Singaporean to head SMU, and the first Singaporean woman to lead any university in Singapore. An internationally recognised scholar in geography and urban studies, her areas of expertise include urban transformation, cultural policy, creative economies and social cohesion. Her research and leadership have earned her international recognition, including being ranked among the top 2% of scientists in her field.

5. Beyond academia, Professor Kong has served on Singapore's Public Service Commission since 2009 and holds leadership and advisory roles across various national and international institutions. She has received numerous professional and public service distinctions, and was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2022. She has also been conferred national honours including the Public Administration Medal (Silver), Public Service Star and Ministry of National Development Medallion.

6. Second Minister for Finance Ms Indranee Rajah, said, "MOF would like to express our sincere appreciation to Mrs Mildred Tan for her dedicated leadership and commitment to serving Singapore. Under her stewardship, Tote Board has strengthened its impact, fostered meaningful partnerships, and remained a trusted partner in building a more caring and resilient society. We also welcome Professor Lily Kong as the incoming Chairman. With her extensive experience and deep familiarity with the community, I am confident that she will build on the strong foundations laid by Mrs Tan and lead Tote Board in building a Better Everyday for Singapore.”

7. Brief write-ups on the outgoing and incoming Chairmen are at Annex A [PDF, 168.59 KB](opens in new tab) [PDF, 168.59 KB] (opens in new tab). The Board composition of Tote Board with effect from 1 January 2027 is at Annex B [PDF, 153.97 KB](opens in new tab) [PDF, 153.97 KB] (opens in new tab).