Mr Chng Hak-Peng to Lead National Gallery Singapore from January 2027; Dr Eugene Tan to Head Singapore Art Museum

National Gallery Singapore (NGS) has announced that Mr Chng Hak-Peng will be appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2027. He will succeed Dr Eugene Tan, who has served as CEO since 2024. Dr Tan will remain with NGS until the end of December 2026 to support the transition before moving on to lead the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) as its Chief Executive Officer and Director.

Mr Chng brings over three decades of leadership experience spanning the arts, public, and private sectors. His background includes a decade at management consultancy Bain & Company, where he advised chief executives and private equity funds on strategy and execution. This experience is expected to inform his approach as he takes on the leadership of NGS.

Currently, Mr Chng serves on the boards of Library and Archives Solutions (LAAS) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Library Board, and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. He also chairs the advisory council of Chua Chu Kang Secondary School. These roles reflect his ongoing engagement with educational and cultural institutions in Singapore.

In addition to his professional commitments, Mr Chng has volunteered as a docent at two local museums, including the Asian Civilisations Museum. He is also pursuing academic interests as a PhD candidate in History at the National University of Singapore, further demonstrating his dedication to the arts and heritage sector.

Mr Chng has been a Fellow of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s Culture Academy, contributing to the development of cultural leadership in Singapore. This experience complements his new role at NGS, as the institution enters a new phase of growth and strategic development.

The leadership changes at NGS and SAM are part of a broader effort to set higher ambitions and develop new strategies for the future. The appointments reflect a belief that each institution will benefit from dedicated leadership as they pursue their respective missions and growth trajectories.

SAM is entering a new phase as it deepens its focus on global contemporary art with an international outlook, while maintaining its Southeast Asian perspective. Dr Tan’s move to lead SAM aligns with this direction as the museum embarks on its next chapter, guided by his experience and vision for contemporary art in the region.