Singapore – Mr Tai Lee Siang, Honorary Advisor on the board of the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), has been appointed Chair of the World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) Board of Directors – an influential group of global leaders on green building and sustainability in the building and construction industry.

Mr Tai, a past president of the SGBC, was appointed Chair of the Board for his leadership in the green building movement and dedication to improving the sustainability of buildings, both in Singapore and at the global level. He is the first Asian Chair of the WorldGBC Board since its formation in 2002.

As SGBC’s second president from 2011 to 2013, Mr Tai established SGBC’s Singapore Green Building Services (SGBS) certification scheme and formed strategic partnerships for the Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) labelling scheme. These schemes have grown tremendously over the years and have helped the industry to make greener, more informed decisions regarding building design and material selection for buildings. As a prominent figure in the local green building circuit, Mr Tai also actively contributes to many green building conversations through his speaking engagements.

Terri Wills, CEO of the WorldGBC, said: “Lee Siang has been a true champion of sustainability, and has worked tirelessly to transform the industry and position green building as one of the most effective solutions to climate change. It is this commitment, expertise and strong leadership that have earned him his place as the new Chair of our Board of Directors. Together with our fellow Directors, I look forward to working with Lee Siang further as we seek to create a world in which greener buildings lead to a better quality of life for everyone, everywhere.”

“I am honoured to be able to contribute towards a more sustainable global built environment. Although green building as a movement has advanced significantly in recent years, there is still much to be done and can only be done with the collective effort of the entire industry. I look forward to collaborating closer with our friends and partners to create better places for people all over the world,” said Mr Tai Lee Siang.