Michael Koh is currently Executive Fellow with the Centre for Liveable Cities, Ministry of National Development, where he is involved in research, organisation of the World Cities Summit and Mayors Forum, capability development and international advisory projects.
He was previously the Head of Projects and Design at SC Global overseeing both overseas and Singapore development projects. Prior to that, he had 25 years of experience in the public service. He served 6.5 years as CEO of the National Heritage Board (NHB) and 3.5 years as concurrent CEO of the National Art Gallery (NAGA). As the CEO of NHB, he was credited and publicly recognised for the rebranding and repositioning the National Museums to new highs, making heritage accessible to the people, and leading architectural projects such as the planning and design of the $532 million National Art Gallery, heritage institutions, renovation to the 8Q@Singapore Art Museum and Asian Civilisations Museum.
Before joining NHB, Michael held appointments at Singbridge Holdings and Mapletree Holdings. He was also the Director of Urban Planning and Design at the Urban Redevelopment Authority where he spearheaded the city planning and urban design of Singapore’s Central Area, which includes the new mixed-use Downtown at Marina Bay, revitalisation of the shopping street at Orchard Road and the creation of an arts and entertainment district at Bras Basah – Bugis. He led the planning team for key development projects such as the Business and Financial Centre and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. He also set up the development agency for the Marina Bay area and the Architecture and Urban Design Excellence centre.
Michael serves as a Board member on the National Library Board, and has served on the Boards of the National Heritage Board, Land Transport Authority, Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, Civil Service College, Hotel Licensing Board, Street and Building Naming Committee, and National Art Gallery. Michael chairs the Public Library Advisory Committee, and the Persons with Disability Sub-Committee, sits on the Arts and Cultural Strategic Review Committee, Conservation Advisory Panel, and Design and Construction committee for the Indian Heritage Centre.