Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, has appointed Derek Cheng as Country Director for Thales Singapore and as Chief Executive Officer for Thales Solutions Asia Pte Ltd, effective 1 October 2026. Derek succeeds Emily Tan, who is leaving the Group to take on a new challenge.
As Country Director and CEO, Derek will lead over 2,000 Thales employees and drive the company's growth across four sites in Singapore, including the Group's largest multi-module Digital Identity & Security manufacturing centre located at Ayer Rajah Crescent, and the Group's largest avionics production and Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility at Changi North Rise.
Prior to joining Thales, Derek was Vice-President & Head of Commercial Asia-Pacific at Vertical Aerospace, where he built the company's Advanced Air Mobility business from the ground up, leading all commercial, business development, and strategic partnership activities across the Asia-Pacific region. Before that, Derek held a series of senior leadership roles at Airbus, based in Toulouse and Singapore, including Head of Asia-Pacific for Airbus Urban Mobility, and subsequently Head of Asia-Pacific for Government & Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, where he drove regional business development strategy, international cooperation, and industrial and sustainable aviation partnerships. Derek started his career in the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and supported the development of the aerospace industry and high technology sectors, and in his last appointment, was EDB’s Regional Director for Europe, based in Frankfurt.
With a background in aerospace engineering and experience across the global aviation industry, Derek brings a deep understanding of the sector and its evolving commercial, technological, and policy landscape. He also holds a Private Pilot’s Licence.
“Singapore is one of the most important places in the world for Thales to innovate. It is where air traffic management, defence, cybersecurity, and AI come together and where customers have big ambitions to build a future of trust thanks to long-term capability as well as technology. Derek has spent his career at the point where aerospace innovation meets operational and regulatory demands, and his experience will be a great asset as we deepen our partnerships and build on our strong foundations and growth in Singapore and across the region.” Guy Bonassi, Senior Vice President for Latin America and Asia, Thales.
“I am excited to lead Thales into this next chapter of growth in Singapore. Building on our long-standing presence and deep partnerships, we will work closely with the Government and our partners to accelerate innovation, strengthen local capabilities, and develop the next generation of technologies. Across aerospace, defence and security, and cyber and digital, we will contribute to Singapore’s ambition to be a safe, secure, and leading global technology hub.” Derek Cheng, Country Director & Chief Executive Officer, Thales in Singapore.
