The Board of Directors of Metro Holdings Limited announced that Mr. Jopie Ong Hie Koan, the Group Managing Director, passed away on 2 February 2016. Mr. Jopie Ong had been appointed to the board since 21 September 1973. Mr. Jopie Ong was also a member of the company's Nominating and Investment Committees.

Mr. Jopie Ong had been instrumental in the growth and transformation of the Metro Group from operating the retail departmental store business into a property development and investment group backed by an established retail track record, which will continue to be the group's focus. This included the development of Ngee Ann City, in joint venture with Ngee Ann Kongsi, and Mr. Ong was also instrumental in pioneering the group's entry into China in the early 1990's. In line with plans set out by the board, Mr. Lawrence Chiang Kok Sung, Group Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect, to ensure continuity of operations of the Metro Group. Mr. Lawrence Chiang has been with the Metro Group since 1989 and has extensive knowledge of its operations.

He has been the Group General Manager since 2007 before being re-designated as the Group Chief Operating Officer in 2013.