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Mr Noel Hon
Noel Hon, former Chairman of NEC Solutions Asia Pacific, is the recipient of Year 2006 Hall of Fame. He s a highly recognized figure not only in the Info-communication Technology (ICT) Industry but is also well known for his participation in Public Service. He is a Fellow of the Singapore Computer Society.
Having joined the computer industry after his graduation, he has more than 30 years of experience in business management in the IT industry. He has held executive positions at various multi-national and local corporations and rose to become Managing Director of ICL at age 32. As Managing Director of NEC Singapore, he was the first Singaporean to be appointed CEO of a wholly owned subsidiary of a Japanese multinational company. He is indeed one of the most prominent persons in the ICT scene.
Noel Hon has been very active in the ICT community. He was the Founding Secretary of Singapore Federation of the Computer Industry (SFCI, now known as Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation) and was its Chairman from 1984 to 1985 and 1990 to 1991. During his Chairmanship of SFCI, he was responsible for instituting the then new concept of outsourcing exhibitions to develop a sustainable revenue stream for the organization. This resulted in the Singapore Informatics series of trade shows that led to COMDEX ASIA. This concept was subsequently adopted by other IT Associations in the region and is still being used today to fund the activities of many National IT Associations in Asia.
The problems in the early years of computerization in Singapore shaped many of the thoughts of Noel Hon. He joined the workforce in the early days of Singapore’s Nationhood and it became apparent that for the Industry to grow, the establishment of a competent ICT workforce and international links were paramount to the success of the ICT industry. For this reason, he applied his attention to the establishment of Asian Oceanian Computer Industry Association where he was a past President, and to the development of IT institutes in both Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Singapore Polytechnic. These, together with his work with the National Computer Board, Systems and Computer Organization in the Ministry of Defence, and the Boards of various other Government IT organizations had a major impact on the structure of the ICT industry.
For his contribution to Information Technology, Noel Hon was awarded the Public Service Star (BBM) in 1991 and conferred a Fellow of the Singapore Computer Society (FSCS) in 1992.
Whilst Noel Hon continued to be involved in the Computer Industry, he also felt the need to balance his job, the industry and the needs of society. In this regard, he chaired the Singapore Courtesy Council and was instrumental in the establishment of the Singapore Kindness Movement which he is the founding Chairman. Noel Hon believes that the family is the most important factor in the development of a strong society. He had the opportunity to participate in this agenda when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on the Family. Under his Chairmanship, the Committee submitted an important position paper on worklife balance and parenting to the Government. Many of the recommendations from this report have been adopted and are being implemented today. For his work as Chairman of the Committee on the Family, Noel Hon was awarded the Friend of MCDS by the Ministry of Community Development and Sports in 2001.
In recognition of his sustained contributions to the ICT industry and his role in public service, he was conferred the Public Service Star (Bar) – BBM(L) and appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2003.
Formerly a Justice of the Peace, Noel has involved in criminal mediation and been appointed a Deputy Registrar of Marriages. He has also served on a number of other Boards including Singapore Health Services, TREK, CISCO Security Pte Ltd and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore.
Whilst Noel Hon sits on the Boards of a number of public listed and private companies, he feels that he is now visiting the old haunts of his youth. In this area he has gone back to school as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Joseph’s Institution, his alma matar. He is also President of the Singapore Scout Association, an activity that he enjoyed when he was in school.
Today Noel plays golf as a recreation. While he struggles with his game, he is most happy to be able to participate in the sport. Despite popular belief, he is optimistic that he can improve. He is not giving up. He feels that the game develops the character of his golf mates as it tests their patience with his game.
Noel is married to Bailyne and they have two wonderful children.
An excellent leader, a true gentleman, a man held in high esteem, please join me to welcome this year’s Hall of Fame winner, Mr Noel Hon.
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