Long-time Esplanade CEO Benson Puah to step down in August
Long-time arts stalwart Benson Puah is stepping down from his post as Chief Executive Officer of The Esplanade in August 2018.
Yvonne Tham, who is currently assistant CEO of Esplanade, will be CEO-Designate from April 2018 and subsequently as CEO in August 2018. The leadership changes were announced in a media release on 20 March.
Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on his future plans, 61-year-old Puah said, “I have not made any decisions at the moment, but I would of course want to take a long break to spend time with family.”
“Also, I haven’t really had much time to think about my plans as my focus is entirely on Esplanade to ensure that I do all I can to support and enable Yvonne and the team as they lead Esplanade to the next stage of growth,” he added.
Puah headed the performing arts centre located in Marina Bay since July 1998 prior to its official opening in 2002. Subsequently, he went on to double-hat as CEO of National Arts Council in 2009 in addition to his Esplanade portfolio.
Before his foray into the arts, Puah was chief executive of Sentosa Development Corp from 1995 to 1997 and the first general manager of Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort in 1992.
Puah underwent treatment for lymphoma after his diagnosis in 2012.
From controversial venue to icon
Under his leadership, the Esplanade grew from a major point of contention for its architecture and its role in the arts scene to an icon in the Marina Bay area, drawing many acclaimed local and international music, dance and theatre acts.
The centre commissioned two Singapore arts groups – Singapore Dance Theatre and Singapore Repertory Theatre – to produce Reminiscing the Moon and Forbidden City, respectively, two large-scale works which were part of the centre’s opening festival line-up.
The Esplanade also hosted international shows such as Singin’ In The Rain (2002), Oliver! (2003) and Mamma Mia! (2004).
Puah’s time at the helm of Esplanade also saw the debut of the successful Mosaic Music Festival in 2005, as well as its last installment in 2014. Puah had reportedly said the festival ended because it had served its purpose.
In 2017, the Esplanade marked its 15th anniversary by announcing its expansion, with plans for a $30 million mid-size waterfront theatre. The centre is currently raising funds for such a space.
Taking over the reins from Puah, 43-year-old Tham was previously the National Arts Council’s deputy chief executive before moving over to Esplanade in 2014.
She worked on building the centre’s engagement with various communities, from youths to seniors and beneficiaries of social service organisations.
Tham has also been involved in Esplanade’s national role in developing new works as well as artistic and technical capabilities for the industry, by working in close partnership with Singapore, regional and international artists.
In the media release, Esplanade Chairman Lee Tzu Yang said, “We are confident that Yvonne will build upon the firm foundation that Esplanade has established in the past 15 years and lead our arts centre in its next phase of growth, fulfilling its mission to inspire audiences and enrich lives through the arts.”
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