Mainboard-listed Qian Hu Corporation BCV ’s executive chairman Kenny Yap will retire on Dec 31. He will be replaced by CEO Yap Kok Cheng, with effect from Jan 1, 2025, under the designation of executive chairman and CEO.
Following his retirement, Kenny has accepted the request of Qian Hu’s board to take on the role of advisor to the group on a pro bono basis.
According to the group, Kenny has been “at the helm of Qian Hu since 1998 and through his leadership, vision and passion for the industry, he led the company through over two decades of growth and transformation”.
Under Kenny’s tenure, the group has since grown from a family-owned fish farm into an integrated global player in ornamental fish, aquaculture, aquarium and pet accessories, with a market reach of over 80 countries and cities.
Kenny says: “In 2005, some 5 years after Qian Hu had listed, we started a management trainee programme with the aim of identifying a succession team by the time I reached the age of 55. However, that year we were in the midst of the pandemic, so I waited another year to announce my successor – that was in 2021. I had also intended to fully retire by the time I reached 60 – and that will be in 2025.”
“I am now looking forward to my retirement, knowing full well that wherever I may be in the world, I have peace of mind that Qian Hu is in safe, capable hands. I believe that my succession team will be able to build an even stronger and bigger Qian Hu in the years ahead,” adds Kenny.
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Kok Cheng, his successor, first joined the group in January 2005 as a management trainee. He was subsequently appointed general manager of China operations in 2016, which focused on business development in China as well as driving the group’s new aquaculture business.
Kok Cheng took on the role of CEO from Jan 1, 2021.
Kok Cheng says: “My vision for Qian Hu going forward is to ensure that we collaborate with the industry, connect with our stakeholders and create innovative solutions to meet the needs of our customers.”
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He adds: “With Kenny as our advisor amidst an evolving business landscape, I am confident that we can take Qian Hu to greater heights.”
Shares in Qian Hu closed 0.1 cents lower, or down 0.71%, at 13.9 cents on Oct 3.
