PSD's Low Peck Kem accorded the Chartered Companion recognition, the first for a Singapore CHRO

As the CHRO for the Singapore Public Service, which has a workforce of more than 140,000 and a HR team of more than 3,000, Peck Kem and her team have acted as the HR advisory to organisations in Singapore during this difficult period.

Low Peck Kem, Chief HR Officer, Singapore Public Service Division (PSD), Prime Minister's Office is the first to become a CIPD Chartered Companion in Singapore for her outstanding and distinguished service to the people profession. This is the highest level of recognition from the CIPD, and she is the first recipient in Singapore and only the second in Asia-Pacific.

In fact, she is one of just 13 individuals awarded Chartered Companion status out of a membership of more than 150,000 people professionals. 

In a statement, CIPD shared: "Peck Kem has demonstrated exceptional HR leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Chief HR Officer (CHRO) for the Singapore Public Service, which has a workforce of more than 140,000 and a HR team of more than 3,000, Peck Kem and her team have acted as the HR advisory to organisations in Singapore during this difficult period.

"She has also helped to build capabilities of employees through the partnership of CIPD as well as helping to introduce milestone programmes via the Civil Service College (HR Foundation Programme, HR Managers Programme, and the apex HR Leadership Programme)."

On this recognition, she shared: "The Chartered Companion recognises the contributions that HR brings to the table in any organisation; it recognises that HR is no longer the backroom function and we are really at the forefront. To be given this award is really humbling."

Peck Kem is also President of the Singapore Human Resources Institute where she rallied HR leaders from across Singapore to form a task force with goals to raise the brand, advocacy, and capability of HR professionals in the state.

Others who have received this level of membership include Professor David Clutterbuck, a world-renowned expert in coaching, leadership and mentoring, and David Cagney, the first ever CHRO for the Irish Civil Service.

Louise Fisher, Chair of the CIPD Board, said: "We are delighted to be able to recognise the efforts of Peck Kem and award her the highest level of CIPD membership, Chartered Companion. Peck Kem was nominated by her peers and subsequently selected for this recognition because of her personal contribution, support, and promotion of the people profession and the CIPD.

"Peck Kem is an exceptional HR leader and role model for the profession and though she is the first to receive this level of membership in Singapore, we certainly hope she will not be the last. We look forward to receiving further nominations for the many talented HR and other People Professionals in the Asia-Pacific region."

Kenneth Low, Regional Director at CIPD Asia, said: "We are pleased to celebrate Peck Kem as the first person in Singapore to become a Chartered Companion. CIPD Asia is committed to championing better work and working lives in Asia-Pacific, and Peck Kem's contributions to the HR profession exemplify this commitment. She is most deserving of this accolade."

Photo / CIPD Asia

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