Introduction: A new chapter for the National Council of Social Service
The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) will welcome a new chief executive officer next year, when Mr Lim Shung Yar steps into the role. The Public Service Division (PSD) senior director will assume the position as Designate CEO on November 1 and fully assume the duties on February 1, 2026. The appointment underscores NCSS’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Singapore’s social service sector in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and a broad network of community partners.
Who is Lim Shung Yar?
Mr Lim, 45, joins NCSS after a distinguished career in Singapore’s public service. Currently serving as senior director of leadership development and strategy in the PSD, he has held several leadership roles across ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). His background emphasizes talent development, policy design, and cross-sector collaboration—skills MSF says will help NCSS navigate evolving social needs and sustain the sector’s growth.
Leadership experience that aligns with NCSS’s mission
In the PSD, Lim led initiatives to attract and retain top public service talent and to strengthen leadership development programs. His work on human resource policy and strategic workforce planning is expected to inform NCSS’s own workforce development, sector capabilities, and long-term planning for social services in Singapore.
At MCCY, Lim developed partnerships with religious and community groups to nurture social cohesion and trust across diverse communities. This experience is particularly relevant as NCSS seeks to foster stronger collaboration with non-profits, faith-based organisations, and community groups to deliver inclusive social services.
What Lim brings to NCSS
Lim’s track record of cross-ministry collaboration and public-private partnership experience aligns with NCSS’s role as a Sector Developer and enabler for social service agencies (SSAs). He has been closely involved with initiatives like Giving.sg, a one-stop platform designed to boost philanthropic giving and support for non-profits, and has worked with stakeholders such as the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. This background is poised to support NCSS in driving sustainable philanthropy and robust community support structures.
Continuing and building on Tan Li San’s legacy
Ms Tan Li San has led NCSS since January 2020, guiding the organisation through a period of rapid transformation and pandemic response. MSF highlighted her contributions in several areas: launching the Courage Fund (COVID) and Invictus Fund to provide financial and social support to individuals and SSAs, accelerating digital transformation across the sector, and advancing a Social Service Digital Plan to help SSAs adopt digital tools more effectively. Tan also strengthened NCSS’s role as a sector developer and helped standardise outcomes through a Sector Evaluation Framework, while refreshing the organisation’s brand identity.
As NCSS moves to welcome a new leader, MSF and NCSS President Anita Fam expressed appreciation for Tan Li San’s leadership and accomplishments. They emphasised that her tenure built a stronger foundation for future growth and sector collaboration. The transition signals continuity—preserving momentum in digital adoption, governance, and philanthropic engagement—while inviting fresh perspectives from Lim Shung Yar.
Looking ahead: What the change means for Singapore’s social sector
With Lim Shung Yar at the helm, NCSS is expected to continue advancing its core role as a sector developer, promoter of collaboration, and champion of outcomes-based programs. His public service background suggests a focus on scalable solutions, data-driven evaluation, and stronger partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector. Stakeholders anticipate ongoing digital transformation, stronger support for community-based organisations, and more coordinated efforts to address emerging social needs.
MSF’s announcement closes by expressing confidence in Lim’s ability to steer NCSS toward a new chapter of growth and innovation, while honouring the sector’s mission to uplift lives and communities across Singapore.
