New CEO at Tote Board from Oct 1 to take over from Tan Choon Shian

SINGAPORE – There will be a changing of the guard at the Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board), with Mark Tan Kiak Yang taking over as chief executive from Tan Choon Shian on Oct 1.

Tan Choon Shian, who has served as the organisation’s chief executive since July 2023, will be appointed the Tote Board’s senior adviser on Oct 1 after stepping down.

Mark Tan is currently deputy chief executive for corporate and development at the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

A statutory board under the Ministry of Finance, the Tote Board oversees Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club, and manages the operating surplus from gaming revenue to fund social initiatives through grant making.

In a joint release on Aug 14, the Ministry of Finance and the Tote Board said Tan Choon Shian, 60, oversaw the closure and transition of Singapore Turf Club, which ran its last race on Oct 5, 2024.

The outgoing chief executive also championed a more collaborative approach to addressing complex social challenges by bringing together government agencies, charities, philanthropic organisations and community partners, said the release.

Under his leadership, the Tote Board supported initiatives in areas such as mental health, disability inclusion, healthy ageing and community well-being.

Tote Board chairwoman Mildred Tan said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Choon Shian for his steadfast leadership and many valuable contributions to Tote Board over the past three years.”

Incoming chief executive Mark Tan has more than two decades of public service experience across different roles.

He has held senior appointments in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and LTA.

During his time with LTA, the 47-year-old launched the National Electric Vehicle Centre and drove the development, regulation and adoption of autonomous vehicles and drones.

“With his extensive public sector experience and commitment to public service, I am confident that he will build on these strong foundations laid by Choon Shian and lead Tote Board in building a ‘better every day’ for Singapore,” Mildred Tan said.