Changes at the top of Straits Times publisher SPH Media see the retirement of chairman and former minister Khaw Boon Wan and editor Patrick Daniel.

Chief executive Chan Yeng Kit has been named executive chairman of SPH Media Trust and SPH Media Holdings, with deputy chief executive Kuek Yu Chuang as managing director.

Now 73, Khaw Boon Wan is retiring from both SMT and SPHMH, having been appointed chairman 2021, following the restructuring of Singapore Press Holdings, which hived off its media operations into a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, a move that helped relieve short-term profit and dividend pressures.

New SPHMH directors are Mohamed Irshad, Edward Chen, Kohe Hasan and Liew Wei Li. They join Elaine Yew, Max Loh, Philip Lee and Quah Ley Hoon. Leaving with veteran journalist and editor Daniel are Lee Yi Shyan, Lim Mei and Bahren Shaari.

In a social media post, prime minister Lawrence Wong thanked Khaw for “seeing SPH Media through an important period of transition”, rather than taking “a well-deserved break” after he retired from politics in 2020.

Khaw (pictured, SPH) says SPH Media is “ now in a strong position, and I am pleased to pass the baton to our new executive chairman”.