Temasek Names Chia Song Hwee Chairman for Middle East & Africa

Singapore/Gulf Region: Temasek has named Chia Song Hwee as its Chairman for the Middle East and Africa, starting from 1 September 2026. The move brings more senior leadership into its plans for a bigger footprint in the region.

Temasek disclosed the appointment in its 30 September announcement, when it revealed plans to open offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. These are expected to open in the first half of 2027, once the required statutory approvals have been granted.

Chia is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Global Investments. In the new role he will focus on building relationships and long-term growth in the region, while Ankit Khemka, Managing Director for the region, continues to lead on strategy and expansion.

An Established Temasek Leader

Chia has been with Temasek since October 2011 and took over as CEO of Temasek Global Investments on 1 April 2026. He has previously held positions as Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President.

As well as leading investment, credit portfolio and strategy functions, he has led the market teams for Singapore and China. He is currently Deputy Chairman of Temasek International, Temasek Singapore and Temasek Partnership Solutions.

His profile on Temasek’s website also lists him as Deputy Chair of several senior committees, including those covering strategy, portfolio and risk, investment and divestment, and senior management.

This gives the regional role a direct link to Temasek’s wider investment decisions. Chia brings experience in managing portfolios, leading markets and internal governance, rather than in a single geography.

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi Form the Next Step

The Gulf offices will give Temasek and its portfolio companies a local base in the region, and some portfolio companies are expected to be based in the new hubs, working more closely with regional partners.

Temasek has also said it wants to build relationships with institutions in Qatar and look for opportunities in the country. It links the Gulf expansion with wider access to the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.

This will bring Temasek’s total number of offices to 15 in 11 countries in 2027. These are still future plans that depend on the relevant approvals.

Independent reporting on the expansion has also pointed to Temasek’s wish to grow its partnerships and its confidence in the region’s long-term prospects.

Why the Appointment Matters for Gulf Markets

From a business point of view, what matters is that there is both senior leadership buy-in and a physical footprint being planned. A regional chairman can focus on key relationships, while local teams spend time on the ground to understand what opportunities exist.

Being close by helps investors understand management teams, find potential partners and keep track of what is going on. It could also make it easier for portfolio companies to work together if they are looking to expand.

Of course, none of this means that investments will happen. Opening an office does not mean a deal will materialise, and the appointment does not set out a committed amount of investment for the Gulf.

It will come down to the opportunities found, the partners chosen and the terms of any investments.

Connecting Capital With Portfolio Expertise

The expansion also matters beyond Temasek’s own deals, because its portfolio companies can get involved with these hubs as well.

This opens the door to operating partnerships as well as financial ones. A company entering a new market needs local partners, customers, management capacity and an understanding of the commercial landscape.

A hub can help bring these relationships together, but it will not solve every problem. Each company still needs a credible operating model, the right governance and a realistic view of demand.

Chia’s experience in investing and corporate leadership means he understands this. The key will be finding opportunities that fit both Temasek’s investment criteria and the needs of its partners.

A Long-Term Investment Perspective

Temasek describes itself as a global investment company headquartered in Singapore and a generational investor. It aims to build a resilient portfolio with the long term in mind.

So its expansion into the Gulf should be judged over a longer period than the opening of the offices. It will take time to build relationships and assess companies before capital is committed.

Having a local office lets that work continue in between deals. But patient investing still needs discipline on valuation, risk and expected returns.

What to Watch Next

The first milestones are the required approvals and the opening of the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi offices. After that, the things to watch are new partnerships, portfolio-company activity and completed investments.

It is also worth telling broad interest apart from binding commercial commitments. That difference will show how far the expansion has moved from preparation to real business.

Chia’s appointment means Temasek has someone at a senior level looking after its Middle East and Africa ambitions. For the Gulf, it is a positive step towards closer ties with an international investor, though the scale of future activity will depend on execution.