Clarence was appointed Deputy President (Administration) of the National University of Singapore on 12 May 2021. In this role, he oversees the University’s administrative policies and functions in the areas of health and wellness, information technology, legal, procurement, as well as privacy, risk and compliance. Clarence also assists the President in the University’s transformational efforts in the area of organisational excellence.

Clarence has served in the public service for over 20 years with the last 10 years in the top position of two public sector organisations. He enjoys working with people to creatively manage transformation and change, build purpose and meaning, support innovation and intra/entrepreneurship, improve governance and risk systems, and adopt new technologies.

From May 2014 to May 2021, Clarence was Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore. In this role, he led the polytechnic in expanding its innovation and entrepreneurship programmes, adopting emerging tech such as data and AI, and promoting service learning.

Prior to his appointment in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clarence served in various roles across a number of government agencies in areas of investment promotion, business and operations management, planning and co-ordination, as well as legislative and policy reviews. These agencies include the Singapore Economic Development Board, where he served in various capacities including as Head of Strategic Planning and Director of the San Francisco Centre; the Singapore Land Authority where he was Director of Land Business Management; the Ministry of Law where he was Director for Strategic Planning; and the Ministry of Finance, where he was previously Chief Executive of Vital, the shared services arm of the Singapore public service.

He currently sits on the boards of the Civil Service College, National Institute of Early Childhood Development and the Action Community for Entrepreneurship. He had also served on the Future Economy Council of Singapore.

Clarence holds a BSc (with High Honors) as well as an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD.