After-Work Kopi With MTQ’s Kuah Boon Wee

Plenty to discuss over coffee with MTQ’s CEO Kuah Boon Wee. But our journey didn’t start off this way.

I first met Boon Wee in 2001 when he was CFO at ST Engineering (STE). I was then an analyst covering the defense conglomerate. Both he and STE CEO Tan Pheng Hock were notably tight-lipped about my inquiries, ranging from order books to profit margins, given the sensitive nature of its business.

Following STE, Boon Wee assumed the role of CEO at PSA Singapore Terminals before taking the helm at MTQ in 2010. He has done much for the offshore services firm, growing the business and championing a people-first culture. In 2015, he was rewarded for his efforts by bagging the Best CEO Award at the Singapore Corporate Awards.