Chairman
Economic Development Innovations Singapore Pte Ltd and Accuron Technologies Limited​

Mr Philip Yeo is Chairman of the Economic Development Innovations Singapore (EDIS) Private Limited. Established in 2013, EDIS is an economic development management services company founded by Mr Yeo that provides strategic advice and undertakes the development and management of integrated industrial and urban areas with an emphasis on job creation and industrial cluster development.

Mr Yeo is Chairman of Accuron Technologies Limited, a global precision engineering and technology group headquartered in Singapore with operations in major markets in Asia, Europe and the USA and serving the aerospace, medical equipment, consumer electronics and automotive industries.

i-Globe Partners, a Singapore-based Private venture capital fund.

Member of the Board of Directors of:

City Developments Ltd, Singapore's largest property developer.

Kerry Logistics Network Ltd listed in Hong Kong.

National Industrial Cluster Development Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Supervisory Board of Directors of Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC of Kazakhstan.

Past Public Sector roles

A 2010-2013 member of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the promotion and development of public administration and governance among Member States, in connection with the United Nations Development Agenda.

A member of World Health Organization Expert Working Group on Research & Development Financing from January 2009-January 2010

Mr. Yeo served in the Singapore Administrative Service from June 1970 to 31 March 1999. From June 1970 to Dec 1985, he served in various appointments in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), including Permanent Secretary for logistics, defence research & development and defence industries (September 1979-December 1985).

Mr. Yeo is recognized for his contributions to Singapore’s economic development and his pioneering role in the promotion and development of the country’s information technology, semiconductor, chemical industries and biomedical sciences.

Founding Chairman of the National Computer Board (now Infocomms Development Authority) of Singapore from 1981 to 1987. He played a leading role in formulating and championing Singapore's first national computerisation plan to evolve the nation into the information age.

Executive Chairman, Economic Development Board (EDB) from January 1986 to January 2001 and Executive Co-Chairman, EDB from February 2001 to January 2006. Mr Yeo redirected EDB’s focus from the established fields to new areas of business. These included: Internationally exportable services; developing high-tech industries like biomedical sciences, semiconductors, aerospace and chemicals; and encouraging Singapore companies to make direct investments abroad. Mr Yeo pushed the development of Singapore’s Chemical cluster through the amalgamation of 3,200 hectares Jurong Chemical Island.

Mr. Yeo pioneered Singapore's participation in overseas infrastructure development projects such as the Batam Industrial Park and the Bintan Industrial Estate in Indonesia, the Bangalore IT Park in India, Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park in Vietnam, Wuxi-Singapore Industrial Park and Suzhou-Singapore Industrial Park in China.

Executive Chairmanship of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
from February 2001 to March 2007. A*STAR is a Singapore government agency focused on
building up public scientific research capabilities. Mr Yeo recruited leading international
researchers to work on biomedical research in Singapore's biomedical hub Biopolis, launched the overseas and local training of 1000 PhDs over 10 years in biomedical science, physical science and engineering in July 2001. Built Fusionopolis for the physical science and engineering research and development. Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to the Ministry of Trade and Industry from April 2007 to September 2008.

Special Advisor for Economic Development, Prime Minister’s Office from April 2007 to August 2011. Mr. Yeo assisted the Prime Minister’s Office in establishing new economic links with foreign governments who value Singapore’s development experience, and provide strategic inputs to establish strategic partnerships and open up opportunities with other fastgrowing economies.

Chairman of SPRING (Standards, Productivity and Innovation for Growth) Singapore from April 2007 to 31st March 2018. SPRING Singapore was a Singapore Government agency responsible for helping Singapore enterprises grow and building trust in Singapore products and services. In April 2018, it merged with International Enterprise Singapore to form Enterprise Singapore.

Past Private Sector roles

Independent Director of Hitachi Ltd (June 2012 to June 2018), Japan, a leading global electronics company, with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide.

Independent Director (2000-2012) of the United Overseas Bank, a leading Singapore bankwith operations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia

Chairman of Ascendas Property Fund Trustee Pte Ltd (2007-2016) funds the developmentand management of Information Technology Parks in India’s cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Chairman of Pidemco Land (1999 - 2000) and CapitaLand (merger of Pidemco with DBS Land (2000 - 2004), whose primary business is in property and commercial development.

Chairman of Sembawang Corporation (1994 - 1998) and the successor SembCorp Industries(1998 - 1999), whose core business was in the marine and engineering industries.

Board Member (from 1980) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Singapore Technologies Holdings (1987 to 1993) whose focus was defence and industrial development.

Public Awards

Mr. Yeo was awarded the Singapore Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1974, the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1982, and the Meritorious Service Medal in 1991 and the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), Singapore's most prestigious National Day Awards in 2006.

In 1994, the Indonesian Government conferred on Mr. Yeo its highest civilian honour, the Bintang Jana Tama (the First Class Order of Service Award) in recognition of his role in fostering good bilateral ties between Indonesia and Singapore.

In 1996, conferred the Order National du Merited (National Order of Merit) for his contribution and leadership in enhancing ties between Singapore and France.

In February 1998, honored by the Belgium Government with the Commander of the Belgium National Order of the Crown for his personal merits in promoting the cooperation between Belgian and Singapore industries.

In November 1998, the international Society of Design and Process Science honored Mr. Yeo with the K T Li Award of Taiwan for contributing significantly to economic and societal development.

Awarded the CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, Asia Pacific IPA Awards in 2003.

In May 2006, conferred the honorary Doctor of Medicine by Karolinska Institutet, the foremost medical school in Sweden.

In the same month, Mr. Yeo received the Japan Nikkei Prize for Science and Technology "in honor of his strong leadership in drafting and implementing Singapore's science and technology strategy, particularly in biomedical sciences.”

In September 2006, received the Harvard Business School's Alumni Achievement Award. Harvard credits him with moving Singapore's economy into manufacturing sectors such as disk drives, semiconductors, petrochemicals, and biomedical sciences.

In November 2007, conferred the honorary Doctor of Science by Imperial College London for being one of “Singapore’s true pioneers of economic development in harnessing Singapore’s skills in industries such as semiconductors, aerospace, specialty chemicals and biomedical sciences”.

In December 2007, conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Japanese Government.

In May 2008, awarded the Distinguished Service (Star) award by the Singapore’s Labour Movement, National Trade Unions Congress, for his contributions to the transformation of Singapore’s economic landscape and creating the conditions of Singaporeans to enjoy more and better job opportunities. The award is the Singapore Union's highest honor for a nonunionist.

In November 2008, the University of Toronto awarded the Engineering Alumni Medal to Mr. Yeo.

"1st BioSpectrum Asia-Pacific Life Time Achievement Award” in March 2009 for efforts in making Singapore one of the most exciting BioScience hub through a variety of policy, fiscal measures and setting up of world class infrastructure.

In July 2011, conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters by National University of Singapore.

In November 2011, conferred the honorary Doctor of Law by Monash University of Australia.

In May 2014, awarded the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award by Eisenhower Fellowships in recognition of leadership in the Eisenhower Fellowships alumni network; and post-fellowship activities that have reflected President Eisenhower’s commitment to peace and productivity by working through direct personal contacts across boundaries.

On 5 July 2017, Mr. Yeo was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of King’s College London.

In July 2023, conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters by Nanyang Technological University.

Education