Singtel's NCS Names GIC Veteran Sam Liew as CEO
Singtel's NCS appoints Sam Liew, former GIC managing director, as CEO from April 1. The move signals strategic shift toward sovereign wealth expertise in tech services.
NCS, the technology services subsidiary of Singtel, announced on January 16 that Sam Liew will take over as CEO on April 1, succeeding Ng Kuo Pin after his seven-year tenure. Liew, currently deputy CEO and head of NCS' government strategic business group, brings extensive experience from Singapore's sovereign wealth sector, having previously served as managing director at GIC's technology group.
The leadership transition marks a notable shift in executive recruitment for the Singtel subsidiary. Rather than selecting a traditional technology consulting leader, NCS has promoted an executive with deep roots in both sovereign wealth management and government technology strategy.
From Government Wealth to Corporate Technology
Liew joined NCS over four years ago and has spent his tenure leading the company's government strategic business group while serving as deputy CEO. Before NCS, he held a managing director role at GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, where he participated in corporate management, business continuity, and group risk committees.
Mission Media
His earlier career included leadership at Accenture, where he served as managing director of the company's ASEAN technology business. During that time, he led the Asia-Pacific communications center of excellence and held positions on both Accenture's Global Technology Leadership Council and ASEAN Geographical Leadership Council.
Liew maintains several board positions across Singapore's public sector and education institutions, including director at Gardens by the Bay, governor at the Institute of Technical Education, and various roles with Singapore Management University and Singapore Polytechnic's computing schools.
Record Growth Under Outgoing Leadership
Ng Kuo Pin, 56, joined NCS as CEO in 2019 after spending 25 years at Accenture. He became a member of Singtel's management committee in 2021 and oversaw significant expansion during his leadership.
Under Ng's direction, NCS grew its revenue from SGD 1.8 billion to SGD 3 billion (~US$1.3 billion to US$2.2 billion) following the 2021 strategic reset through the Singtel28 growth plan. The company invested heavily in cloud, data, and digital platforms while extending its international reach and diversifying beyond its traditional government contracting focus.
Singtel group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon credited Ng with transforming NCS into "a key growth engine of the Singtel Group," noting strong earnings and operational performance alongside the revenue expansion.
Strategic Implications for NCS
The appointment of a leader with sovereign wealth fund experience signals potential strategic shifts for NCS. Liew's background in government technology strategy, combined with his corporate management experience at GIC, positions him to navigate both public sector relationships and commercial technology markets.
His four-year tenure as head of NCS' government strategic business group provides continuity in the company's core market while his broader deputy CEO role suggests familiarity with the diversification efforts Ng initiated. The transition takes effect April 1, giving Liew three months to prepare for the expanded responsibilities.
Want to stay up-to-date on the stories shaping Asia's media, marketing, and comms industry? Subscribe to Mission Media for exclusive insights, campaign deep-dives, and actionable intel.
