38, was the Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA) prior to his resignation from the Administrative Service. At EMA, Lawrence initiated efforts towards more competitive and sustainable energy options. He led the implementation of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project to secure new gas contracts for Singapore, and to build the country’s first LNG terminal facility.
Prior to his appointment in EMA, Lawrence was the Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister from 2005 to 2008.
Before that, Lawrence was the Director of Healthcare Finance at the Ministry of Health, where he was responsible for implementing the MediShield reforms, which gave Singaporeans better protection against large hospital bills, as well as more competitively-priced medical insurance options to choose from.
An economist by training, Lawrence started his career at the Ministry of Trade & Industry, before moving to the Ministry of Finance where he implemented the Economic Restructuring Shares scheme to help Singaporeans adapt to structural changes in the economy. Over the years, he has supported the work of several high-level committees to develop and grow the economy, including the Committee on Singapore’s Competitiveness, the Economic Review Committee and the Economic Strategies Committee.
At the community level, Lawrence has been involved in youth work in church and voluntary organisations. He co-founded a voluntary organisation to develop and mentor youths called PromiseWorks, which received the Outstanding New Volunteer Initiative award in 2003.
Lawrence was educated at Tanjong Katong Secondary School and Victoria Junior College. He obtained his undergraduate and masters degrees in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He also has a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University.
Lawrence enjoys outdoor activities like golf, jogging and tennis. He also likes reading, music and playing the guitar.
