Seasoned unionist Ang Hin Kee will from 1 November 2020 be the Chief Executive of the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), succeeding Ms Dolly Goh.

Mr Ang's appointment will be concurrent with his current roles as the Assistant Director-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and its Director of Operations and Mobilisation.

Mr Ang brings to SNCF more than 15 years’ experience in working closely with the ground to ease employment and employability concerns. Most recently, from May 2011 till June 2020, he was the Member of Parliament in the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.

In taking over the SNCF baton, he will be steering a co-operative movement that has been rooted in Singapore for more than 95 years, and whose resilience and adaptability is yet again being tested by the sudden, widespread changes from COVID-19. Brick by brick, the co-operative movement has helped build the nation by providing affordable daily essentials, education and training, healthcare, financial services, recreation, and employment opportunities, as well as increase inclusion of the less advantaged, such as the elderly and vulnerable.

Mr Ang said, “Co-operatives exist to benefit members and help to improve lives. COVID-19 underscores the social role of co-operatives in helping members tide over difficult times from holding prices of everyday essentials to providing special loans, monetary and other forms of donations. In sharing a common set of values and principles to enhance the cohesiveness of society, co-operatives have shown again and again the power of Singaporeans working together to ride out the fiercest storms.”

He continued: “COVID-19 has disrupted the old ways, changing the way people live, work and play. It also presents opportunities for the co-operative movement to help build a new normal that is more caring and inclusive. I am humbled to have this fresh opportunity to steer the co-operative sector to help businesses and individuals to adapt and thrive in these volatile times. I also look forward to working closely with our co-operatives to strengthen their businesses so that they can better serve the interests of their members and meet the needs of the broader community.”

Alongside the Government’s many financial lifelines to help Singaporeans tide over the pandemic’s severe impact, the co-operative movement rolled out initiatives to support the community through this challenging time. Demonstrating co-operative values of self-help, mutual help, care for community and co-operation, one of SNCF’s youngest members, GP+ Co-operative, joined hands with the Singapore Statutory Boards Employees’ Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society to enable the distribution of more than 10,000 masks to migrant workers. NTUC FairPrice Co-operative had also pledged S$500,000 for those in need.

SNCF Chairman Kwek Kok Kwong said Mr Ang has much to contribute to the movement from his many years at the forefront addressing evolving employment and societal needs. Mr Kwek said, “With his extensive experience in labour matters and grassroots connections, Hin Kee will help us identify faster, and in more targeted ways, how best to reinvent our businesses and support our stakeholders.”

As SNCF is also a strong advocate of lifelong learning, Mr Kwek is heartened that Mr Ang is well-acquainted with upskilling and reskilling issues, an area that is much needed for workers to stay relevant in a fast changing world. From 2012 till 2018, Mr Ang was the Executive Secretary of the Education Services Union. He is currently Advisor to the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Staff Union.

Mr Kwek said: “I look forward to Hin Kee leading the co-operative movement to better engage the youths of today in our unique model of business to do good and do well. Their embracing of the co-operative principles of self-help and mutual assistance will do much to sustain collectively in these disruptive times.”