Neo Kian Hong

Neo Kian Hong is a Singaporean civil servant and former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2010 and 2013.

Neo served as the chief executive officer of SMRT Corporation between 2018 and 2022. Prior to that, he had served as Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Permanent Secretary (Education Development) in the Ministry of Education (MOE) after leaving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Education

Neo received his secondary education in Victoria School, where he was also a National Cadet Corps cadet, After his pre-university education in Nanyang Junior College, he was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship in 1985 and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Upper Second Class Honours) degree in electrical and electronic engineering from King's College London. He subsequently completed a Master of Science degree in management of technology from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He attended Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2013.

Military career

Neo joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1983. Throughout his 30-year service in the SAF, he held various appointments, including: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Singapore Guards; Commander, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Operations); Chief of Staff, Joint Staff; Chief of Army (2007–2010). He served as the SAF's contingent commander for the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999 and as the Director of Operations, Ministry of Health, during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, he was involved in establishing the national contact and tracing system in Singapore.

In 2010, Neo was appointed as the SAF's Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and was promoted from the rank of Major-General to Lieutenant-General.

Neo was succeeded by Ng Chee Meng in 2013 when he retired that year.

Civil career

After leaving the SAF, Neo joined the civil service and was appointed as the Permanent Secretary (Education Development) in the Ministry of Education (MOE) on 1 July 2013. In MOE, he was part of senior management who helped to formulate and implement education policies, and to oversee the development and management of schools. In particular, he contributed to the development of MOE's Outdoor Education Masterplan and Digital Plan to build resilient mind, body and cohesion amongst students. It includes the building and upgrading of outdoor adventure centres for MOE to accommodate cohort camps at three levels: P5, S1 and S3. The Digital Plan improves the way students learn by using technology and further develops communication between parents and schools.

Neo was appointed as Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) in the Ministry of Defence in 2017. In this role, his portfolio covers defence research and technology, capability development and acquisitions, and defence administration.

Business career

On 1 August 2018, Neo joined SMRT as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO). On 1 July 2022, he resigned from his position and will stay on as an advisor till 31 October 2022. On 1 August 2022, Ngien Hoon Ping will succeed him as the next Group CEO.

Awards and decorations

• File:Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Meritorious Service Medal (Military) - PJG, in 2012.
• File:Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Emas) (Tentera).png Public Administration Medal, (Gold) (Military) - PPA(E), in 2007.
• File:Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Perak) (Bar) (Tentera).png Public Administration Medal, (Silver) (Bar) (Military) - PPA(P)(L)
• File:Long Service Medal (Military) ribbon (from 2006).png Long Service Medal (Military), in 2008.
• File:Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal ribbon with clasp.png Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal with 15 year clasp
• File:Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal ribbon.png Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal
• File:Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal ribbon (from 1999).png Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal
• File:INTERFET Medal ribbon.png International Force East Timor Medal
• File:Order of the Cloud and Banner 3rd.gif Order of the Cloud and Banner (雲麾勳章) with Yellow Grand Cordon (黃色大綬)
• File:The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (1st Class).png The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (1st Class)
• File:Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama rib.svg Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama (1st Class), Indonesia (2009)
• File:Order of the White Elephant - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant, Thailand
• File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown, Thailand
• Template:Ribbon devices/alt Darjah Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Order for Valour (First Degree), in October 2011.
• File:Yudha Dharma Utama Rib.png Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (1st Class)
• File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png US Legion Of Merit (Commander)
• Master Parachutist Badge
• Basic Diving Badge
• Combat Skills Badge (CSB)
• Thailand Airborne Badge
• Thailand Ranger Badge
• Singapore Armed Forces Ranger Tab Ranger Tab
• Singapore Armed Forces Guards Tab Guards Tab