The Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) today announced its Board appointments for the 2026–2028 term.

The majority of the Board will continue serving for another term, reflecting IHRP’s commitment to continuity in leadership as it continues to advance HR excellence and support workforce transformation in Singapore. The Board also welcomes two new members whose expertise will further strengthen IHRP’s strategic direction.

Aslam Sardar, Chief Executive Officer of IHRP, said, “As IHRP enters its next phase of growth, strong leadership and diverse perspectives on our Board will be instrumental in advancing the HR profession. We are delighted to welcome Tanie Eio and Dr. Nadir Ali Zafar to the Board and look forward to the insights they will bring as we continue to strengthen HR capabilities, elevate professional standards and support organisations in navigating the future of work.”

IHRP Board Members (2026–2028)

Reappointed Members

• • Deborah Ong, Chairperson, Retired Partner, PwC Singapore
  • Kenny Tan, Deputy Chairperson, Deputy Secretary (Workforce), Ministry of Manpower
  • Edy Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Chye Thiam Maintenance Pte Ltd
  • Frank Koo, Founder and Director, NextPlay Pte Ltd
  • Ian Lee, President of Geographic Regions, The Adecco Group
  • Kala Anandarajah, Head, Competition & Antitrust and Trade, Lead Partner, Corporate Governance, Rajah & Tann
  • Norbert Ehlert (IHRP Master Professional), Senior Director, Human Resources, Procter & Gamble R&D, Greater China, APAC, Middle East & Africa
  • Pao Jia Yu, Deputy Chief Executive (Planning), Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA)
  • Wendy Tan, Director (PME), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)

Reappointed for an Additional One-Year Term (2026–2027)

• • Alexander C. Melchers, Director & General Manager, C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG Singapore Branch; Vice President, SNEF Council

New Board Members

• • Tanie Eio (IHRP Master Professional), Chief Human Resources Officer, Raffles Medical Group
  • Nadir Ali Zafar, Managing Director, Endeavor

Ms. Tanie Eio is the Group Chief Human Resources Officer of Raffles Medical Group, where she leads the organisation’s human capital strategy across its integrated healthcare network. With close to 30 years of global HR leadership experience spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States, she has driven enterprise transformation, digital enablement, and workforce excellence. Prior to Raffles Medical Group, she spent 24 years at UPS in senior global HR leadership roles. An award-winning HR leader, Tanie was named HR Leader of the Year and Best HR Leader in 2022.

Dr. Nadir Ali Zafar is the Managing Director of Endeavor’s Global Hub in Singapore, where he supports high-impact entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and ecosystems globally. With over 20 years of leadership experience across Asia and the Middle East, he has held senior roles spanning entrepreneurship, education technology, and leadership development. His experience in developing leaders and organisations across Asia and globally will provide valuable perspectives as IHRP continues to strengthen HR leadership and support future-ready organisations.

Outgoing Board Members

• • Deanna Ong (IHRP Master Professional), Chief People Officer, GIC
  • Akbar Kader, Managing Director, Nan Guan Construction Pte Ltd

IHRP extends its sincere appreciation to Deanna Ong and Akbar Kader for their dedicated service and valuable contributions to the Board. Their leadership and insights have helped shape IHRP’s growth and strengthened its efforts to elevate HR professionalism and support Singapore’s workforce transformation.

Mrs. Deborah Ong, Chairperson of IHRP, said, “The world of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, making the role of HR more strategic than ever. With the collective experience of our reappointed Board members and the fresh perspectives of our new members, we are well positioned to guide IHRP’s next chapter. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Deanna Ong and Akbar Kader for their dedicated service to the Board. Together, we remain committed to building a strong, future-ready HR profession that enables business success and workforce resilience in Singapore.”

The IHRP Board looks forward to working together to strengthen the HR profession, develop future-ready HR leaders and support organisations in building resilient, high-performing and inclusive workplaces.