Lee Seng Wee DUBC (Chinese: 李成伟; pinyin: Lǐ Chéngwěi; 4 April 1930 – 7 August 2015) was a Singaporean banker and businessman.

Early life

Lee was the third son of Lee Kong Chian, and maternal grandson of Tan Kah Kee.

Lee was educated at the Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore[1] before graduating from the University of Toronto, where he studied engineering. He subsequently completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Western Ontario, where he topped his class.[2]

Career

Upon returning to Singapore, Lee joined the Lee Rubber Company and rose to the position of vice-chairman. He subsequently became a director of the second-largest bank in Southeast Asia, OCBC Bank, where he served from 1966 to 2016, and later chairman from 1995 to 2003.[3] He orchestrated a S$2.4 billion takeover bid for Singapore's then-fifth largest bank, Keppel Capital Holdings in June 2001.[4]

In 2003, Lee stepped down as chairman and moved to a non-executive position, but continued to guide the strategic direction of the bank. Major investments and acquisitions during his long tenure include OCBC-NISP in Indonesia, OCBC China Bank, OCBC-Wing Hang in Hong Kong; the private banking business of ING Asia Bank, majority control of Great Eastern Life Insurance and a 20 percent stake in Bank of Ningbo in China. The net profit after tax for OCBC Group was almost S$4 billion for 2015.

In addition to his role in OCBC, Lee was also a director of several companies, including Lee Rubber Group Companies and Lee Foundation.[5] He served as a board member of the GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund and the Council of Presidential Advisors, Singapore.

Lee was conferred the Distinguished Service Order in 2001.[6][7] In 2006, he received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship in New York for contributions to Singapore.[8]

Death

On 7 August 2015, at the age of 85, Lee died of complications arising from a head injury sustained during a fall at home.[9]

References

  1. ^ "In Memoriam - Mr Lee Seng Wee". www.blueskiescom.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  2. ^ Suryadinata, Leo (2012). Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent: A Biographical Dictionary, Volume I & II. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 541. ISBN 9789814345217. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Former OCBC Bank chairman Lee Seng Wee dies aged 85". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Lee Seng Wee". Forbes. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  5. ^ U-Wen, Lee. "Former OCBC chairman Lee Seng Wee dies, aged 85". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  6. ^ Vasoo, Sharon; Tan, Suan Ann (9 August 2001). "Honours for people from all walks of life". The Straits Times.
  7. ^ "PMO | Recipients | The Distinguished Service Order | 2001". Prime Minister's Office (Singapore). 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Woodrow Wilson Awards". WilsonCenter.org. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 3 May 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Former OCBC chairman Lee Seng Wee dies aged 85, Banking News & Top Stories - The Straits Times". The Straits Times. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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