Mr Nicholas Koh (Dr.Eng Honoris Causa)

 

Mr Nicholas Koh joined the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in 1981 after completing his Diploma in marine engineering with 1 year cadet engineer training onboard TFL Enterprise. He sailed a further 3 years with RSN before he continued his studies in the United Kingdom. Nicholas graduated with a Bachelor (Hons) First Class in Marine Technology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, under the Defence Technology Training Award, Ministry of Defence. He was also awarded the Weighton Medal and Institute of Marine Engineers’ Book Prize in 1992. He further attained his Master of Public Administration with the University of Liverpool, UK, 1998. He chose to take early retirement from the Republic of Singapore Navy to pursue a commercial career in 2002. His last appointment in the Republic of Singapore Navy was as the Deputy Head Naval Logistics (Ship Systems), with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). He was also Chairman of a number of committees such as the FFDC (Fire Fighting and Damage Control), NBCD (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense) (Technical), RSN Modification, Submarine Safety, Marine Engineers, Naval Architects, Electrical Engineers and Ordnance.

In early 2002, he was appointed as the Vice President Defence Business, ST Engineering Corporate HQ. He left ST Engineering Corporate HQ in 2003.

In March 2003, he founded his own company, Victory Knights Management and Consultancy Services Pte Ltd (VKMCS), to focus business on education, marine and dual use technologies. In October 2005, he established with Seven Seas Company, the “Seven Seas Victory Knights Technologies” Division in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East, to begin operations in December 2005. SSVKT was spun off into a full-fledged company (1st Class) in 2007 as SSVKC. In 2023, Nicholas was respectfully conferred the Doctor of Engineering honorary degree by Newcastle University, the UK. 

Nicholas’ forte is in Strategic Thinking and the Development of Solutions through Masterplanning. Over the years, he sets long-term growth strategies and spearheads growth initiatives to expand VKMCS’ resources and develops new markets around the regions of Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Victory Knights Management and Consultancy Services Company and Seven Seas Victory Knights Co LLC (SSVKC), strategically located in Singapore and Oman, have an edge to take on more diversified businesses and expertise in this globalised world. VKMCS also invested into Tocco Studios which is in IT industry.

OTHER APPOINTMENT

AUTHORED WORKS

Mr Nicholas Koh authored his first book titled “My Bowl of Hei Bee Hiang Rice: A Singaporean Growing Up in Difficult Times” in 2004. He is currently working on his second book which is yet to be released.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND HONOURS

  • Dr.Eng (Honoris Causa) awarded by Newcastle Univeristy, UK (2023)

  • Advisor (Singapore Chapter) to Asia Pacific Trade & Promotion Investment Association

  • Hall of Fame, British Council Alumni

  • Author of Book “My Bowl of Hei Bee Hiang Rice: A Singaporean Growing Up in Difficult Times”

  • Former Chairman Awareness Committee – Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Singapore (SNAMES)

  • Former Vice Chairman RINA & IMarEST Joint Branch Singapore

  • Former Council Member Institute of Shipping Management