The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Registrar.
Ms Gloria Lim has succeeded Ms Lim Seok Hui and is appointed as CEO of SIAC on 1 November 2021. Mr Kevin Nash, previously Deputy Registrar of SIAC, has succeeded Ms Delphine Ho as Registrar, with effect from 12 October 2021.
Gloria was previously the Director of the Legal Industry Division in Singapore’s Ministry of Law and concurrently held the statutory appointment of Director of Legal Services, heading its Legal Services Regulatory Authority. As Director of the Legal Industry Division, she oversaw the development of Singapore’s legal sector, as well as the development and promotion of the international dispute resolution regime in Singapore. Gloria also heads the Singapore delegation involved in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) discussions. Gloria brings with her cross-sector experience in legal policy, alternative dispute resolution and community mediation in MinLaw. She graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is called to the Singapore Bar. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration from NUS and an LL.M from Harvard University.
As Deputy Registrar & Centre Director, Kevin assisted with the administration of all cases filed with SIAC, and the supervision of SIAC’s multinational Secretariat. Since joining SIAC in 2012, Kevin has overseen thousands of international cases under the SIAC Rules and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Kevin worked closely on the revisions to the SIAC Rules 2013, SIAC Rules 2016, SIAC Investment Arbitration Rules 2017, and leads the SIAC Secretariat on the drafting of the seventh edition of the SIAC Rules. He is also responsible for business development at SIAC, and the recruitment and professional development of SIAC Counsel. Kevin holds a B.A. from Mount Allison University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School and an LL.M from Stockholm University. He is qualified as a Barrister & Solicitor with the Law Society of Upper Canada.
SIAC would like to express its deepest appreciation to both Seok Hui and Delphine for their contributions to SIAC.
Seok Hui played an important role during a transformative period in the institution’s growth and expansion, enhancing the standing of SIAC in Singapore and internationally. During her tenure, SIAC’s caseload increased significantly from 235 cases in 2012 to 1,080 cases in 2020, with parties from over 100 jurisdictions arbitrating disputes at SIAC. Seok Hui also oversaw the overseas expansion of SIAC’s operations with the establishment of representative offices in India, South Korea, China and the United States.
As Registrar, Delphine played a leadership role in ensuring that SIAC’s case management services remain efficient and effective, even with the increasing caseload and expanding SIAC Secretariat. During her time at SIAC, Delphine fine-tuned many of SIAC’s processes and procedures, developed SIAC’s online case management systems, and was responsible for the scrutiny of awards issued in SIAC arbitrations. Delphine was also very active in the legal community as a frequent teacher and lecturer for young lawyers.
Seok Hui’s and Delphine’s contributions helped to build up SIAC over the years. In the 2021 Queen Mary University of London and White & Case International Arbitration Survey, SIAC was ranked as the most preferred arbitral institution in Asia Pacific, and second in the world. Singapore was also ranked jointly with London as the most popular arbitration seat in the world, and as the most preferred seat in Asia Pacific in the same survey.
Seok Hui said, “It has been an immense privilege and pleasure to have worked closely with the SIAC Board, the SIAC Court, and my team over the years. I am confident that SIAC will continue its ascent to greater heights.”
Delphine said, “My time at SIAC has been a fruitful and fulfilling experience. Lucy’s appointment as Court President bodes well for the future of SIAC. I am grateful for the support of the SIAC team, and wish SIAC the very best.”
Chairman of the SIAC Board, Mr Davinder Singh SC said, “I would like to thank Seok Hui and Delphine for their invaluable contributions during their tenure. They have each played significant roles in enhancing the international standing and profile of SIAC, and helped it achieve the success it has seen today.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to Gloria to SIAC, and have every confidence that under her leadership, she will take SIAC to greater heights. The Board and I look forward to working closely with Gloria and Kevin to take SIAC to the next level, develop new capabilities, and work closely with our international arbitration partners to serve the needs of the global business community.”
For more information, please contact:
Singapore International Arbitration Centre
T: +65 6713 9777
E: corpcomms@siac-staging.cloudwps.net
W: www.siac.org.sg