Keppel says that Tong Chong Heong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), has been appointed to the Board as Executive Director with effect from August 1, 2009.

Keppel would also like to announce the stepping down of Yeo Wee Kiong from the Board effective August 1, 2009. Yeo, a Director in Drew & Napier LLC, has been a Board member since 2005.

Tong Chong Heong, aged 62, formerly the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M, succeeded Choo Chiau Beng as CEO of Keppel O&M on January 1, 2009.

Choo Chiau Beng, CEO of Keppel, said, "I'm pleased to welcome Chong Heong to the Keppel Board. He has served the Group loyally for 38 years, and was instrumental in helping me steer Keppel O&M to its position of a world leading offshore & marine group today. Over the years, Chong Heong has contributed significantly to Keppel O&M's excellent execution and technology capabilities in our yards both here and overseas.

"Chong Heong's wealth of experience and network is also the rationale behind his recent appointment as Chairman of Keppel Integrated Engineering Limited. I’m confident that he will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening and growing the Keppel Group.

"On behalf of the Board, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Yeo Wee Kiong for his invaluable contribution to the Keppel Board over the past four years. Keppel has benefited from his expertise and experience in the corporate sector," added Choo.

Apart from his Board and executive roles in Keppel, Tong is also an active member of the offshore & marine industry. He is a member of the American Bureau of Shipping, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) Singapore Committee and Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers (USA). He is also a Fellow of The Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), UK. Tong was conferred Singapore's Public Service Medal in 1999.

With these changes, the Keppel Board now has a total of 10 directors, of whom 6 are independent directors.

Tags: Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited