SINGAPORE, 22 December 2020 — The World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore) today announced the appointment of Achal Agarwal as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors, with immediate effect.
The current Chairman of WWF-Singapore, Mr Joseph K.H. Koh, steps down after completing nearly four years’ service on the Board, including the last three years as Chairman. Joseph has decided to retire due to health reasons.
Joseph K.H. Koh said “As I step down from the Board, I am happy that we are executing on our strategic plan to chart a new direction for WWF-Singapore befitting its status as a National Organisation with a strong commitment to our local, regional and global conservation agenda. We now have a committed and professional Chief Executive Officer and Management Team in place, a refreshed Board, and considerable momentum in delivering our plans. This aligns with a personal intention I had, earlier this year, to progressively scale back my business responsibilities so that I could focus on my health and other personal commitments. Now is the right time to hand over the Chair. I am pleased that the Board has carefully evaluated and selected such a strong candidate to lead WWF-Singapore. It has been a privilege to have worked with the directors, trustees, and management at WWF-Singapore. I wish them every success in the years ahead.”
Achal brings extensive experience as the Global Strategy and Transformation Officer and as a member of Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s (KCC) Global Executive Leadership Team. He also serves as a Director on the Board of SATS Ltd and the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. Achal has been recognised for his leadership and operating excellence by several global organisations, including CNBC, which awarded him with its Asia Business Leader of the Year Award, 2016. Achal joined the WWF-Singapore Board in August 2015.
Achal said of his appointment, “It’s a privilege to have been selected by the Board to serve as Chairman of WWF-Singapore and to help steer the organisation through its next chapter. As our nation and the world recovers from the pandemic, our commitment to ‘Build Back Better’ is resolute. We have a strong executive management team and an exciting plan to deliver our conservation priorities. I would also like to thank Joseph on behalf of the whole WWF-Singapore team for his wisdom, enthusiasm and commitment during his tenure on the Board, during which time the organisation has grown while making a significant impact through meaningful conservation activities.”
Today, WWF-Singapore is a global hub of WWF-International, enabling strategic conservation projects and driving market transformation initiatives in Singapore and the region.