Lee Seng Wee
Lee Seng Wee | |
|---|---|
| 李成伟 | |
| Born | 4 April 1930 Singapore, Straits Settlements |
| Died | 7 August 2015 (aged 85) |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto (BEng) University of Western Ontario (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Lee Kong Chian (father) Tan Ai Leh (mother) |
| Relatives | Tan Kah Kee (maternal grandfather) Lee Seng Gee (brother) Lee Seng Tee (brother) |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ "In Memoriam - Mr Lee Seng Wee". www.blueskiescom.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Former OCBC Bank chairman Lee Seng Wee dies aged 85". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ "Lee Seng Wee". Forbes. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Vasoo, Sharon; Tan, Suan Ann (9 August 2001). "Honours for people from all walks of life". The Straits Times.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Woodrow Wilson Awards". WilsonCenter.org. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 3 May 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "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.
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