Thales appoints Derek Cheng as Singapore Country Director and CEO

Thales has appointed Derek Cheng as Country Director for Singapore and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Solutions Asia. Cheng succeeds Emily Tan, who is leaving the Group to take on a new challenge.

In his new role, Cheng will oversee more than 2,000 employees across four sites in Singapore, spanning aerospace, defence and security, and cyber and digital businesses. 

The appointment comes as Thales looks to strengthen its local presence, expand strategic partnerships and build on its growth in Singapore and the wider region.

Leadership experience

Cheng joins Thales from Vertical Aerospace, where he served as Vice President and Head of Commercial Asia Pacific from 2022 to 2026. During his tenure, he built the company's advanced air mobility business from the ground up.

Before that, he held senior leadership positions at Airbus between 2016 and 2021, overseeing urban mobility, government and public affairs, and strategic partnerships across Asia Pacific.

Cheng also spent seven years at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), supporting the development of the country's aerospace and high-technology sectors. His final role at the organisation was Regional Director for Europe, based in Frankfurt.

Strengthening Singapore operations

Cheng will lead Thales' operations across four Singapore sites, including the Group's largest multi-module Digital Identity and Security manufacturing centre at Ayer Rajah Crescent. 

Commenting on the appointment, Guy Bonassi, Senior Vice President for Latin America and Asia at Thales, highlighted Singapore's strategic importance to the Group's innovation agenda, particularly across air traffic management, defence, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Bonassi said Cheng's experience spanning aerospace innovation, operational requirements and regulatory demands would support Thales as it deepens partnerships and builds on its established presence in Singapore and across the region.

Focus on strategic growth

In a LinkedIn post, Cheng said, "I look forward to leading Thales into its next phase of strategic growth, bringing our next-generation technology, and shaping Singapore’s aerospace, defence and digital security future.”

"We'll do it together with our people, customers, government and partners. I’m grateful for the warm welcome, and trust placed in me."

Cheng's appointment comes as Singapore continues to serve as a strategic base for Thales' activities across aerospace, defence, digital identity and cybersecurity, with the company looking to strengthen local capabilities and advance technology development through collaboration with government and industry partners.