S. Iswaran


S. Iswaran is a Singaporean politician and former business executive. A member of the governing People's Action Party, he was the Minister for Trade and Industry. He is currently the Minister for Communications and Information and the Minister in charge of Cyber Security. He has also previously served as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1997.

Career

Iswaran has worked in both the public and private sectors. He has served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Temasek Holdings, Director for International Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Indian Development Association.

Political career

Iswaran was first elected to Parliament in January 1997. From September 2004 to June 2006, he served as a Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
On 1 July 2006, Iswaran was appointed a Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. On 1 April 2008, he was promoted to Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry. On 1 April 2009, he was appointed Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Education in addition to being Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
Following the 2011 general election, Iswaran was promoted to the Cabinet as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. Being the Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry, he also legislated alcohol, remote gambling, and shisha, and oversaw the extension of F1 race till 2017.
Iswaran is currently an MP for the West Coast Group Representation Constituency.
Corporate career
Iswaran held several directorships in his career. He was director of Strategic Development at Singapore Technologies from 1996 to 1998, and Managing Director of Temasek Holdings between 2003 and 2006.
He served as a Director of Quintiles Transnational from November 2003, Sunningdale Tech from July 2005 to June 2006, at Shin Corporation until 2006, SciGen Ltd. until October 2005, PSA International Pte Ltd from 2005 to 2006, Sembcorp Industries from January 2003 to April 2004 and several other businesses. Iswaran was also a non-executive director of Hyflux from June 2003 to June 2006. With effect from 24 April 2018, he is Minister for Communications and Information replacing retired minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

Education

Iswaran is an alumnus of St. Andrew's School. He read economics at the University of Adelaide, where he graduated with first class honours. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.

Personal life

Iswaran is a Tamil Brahmin. He is married to Kay Mary Taylor. The couple have one daughter, Monisha, and two sons, Sanjay and Krishan.