National Gallery Singapore's Chris Lee exits after 10 years

National Gallery Singapore (NGS) assistant chief executive Chris Lee will leave the museum in December to lead Medan Pasar Realty and Muara Arts, bringing his experience in marketing, digital transformation and audience development to a new arts and cultural destination in Kuala Lumpur.

He is expected to start his new role as CEO of Medan Pasar Realty and Muara Arts on 16 December 2026.

The appointment will see Lee oversee the strategic development, operations and long-term sustainability of both organisations as they work to revitalise Medan Pasar, the historic birthplace of Kuala Lumpur, into an arts, cultural and creative industry destination anchored by Muara Arts Gallery and the upcoming Muara Arts Theatre. 

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Lee spent 10 years in senior leadership at NGS, where he most recently served as assistant chief executive for museum experience and operations. His remit covered visitor experience, facilities management and operations, business development, innovation and technology, and finance.

Before taking on the role in October 2024, Lee led the museum experience and services business unit from 2021 to 2024, bringing together visitor experience, innovation and technology, integrated marketing and communications, and business development. He was previously the gallery's chief marketing officer from 2016 to 2021, overseeing branding, marketing, communications and business development.

During his tenure, on-site visitorship at NGS tripled to more than two million, while online visitorship grew sixfold, according to a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. Initiatives supporting this growth included "Smart Museum", "GalleryAnywhere" and "The People's Gallery", alongside efforts to develop physical and digital museum experiences.

The gallery also refreshed its food and beverage offerings, with new experiences and commercial initiatives contributing to business revenue more than doubling over the past five years. 

Before joining the arts sector, Lee held senior regional and global marketing roles at Procter & Gamble, Philips, Sony Ericsson, HP and EMC.

For Lee, the move also carries personal significance.

“Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Medan Pasar was the heartbeat of the city for me. Some of my fondest childhood memories were made here, from shopping at the markets with my mother to enjoying Friday lunches at Sin Seng Nam with my father,” said Lee. 

Lee added that the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the precinct, with Muara Arts at its heart, "felt like a serendipitous homecoming"

"The opportunity was simply too compelling to pass up. I look forward to building a lasting cultural legacy for Kuala Lumpur," said Lee. 

Commenting on the appointment, Shanthi Kandiah and Brahmal Vasudevan, founders of Muara Arts and Medan Pasar Realty said "We are delighted to welcome Lee at such an important stage of our journey. His experience in building audiences and sustainable cultural institutions will be invaluable as we transform Medan Pasar into a thriving cultural destination."

Lee's departure comes amid a wider leadership transition at NGS. Chief curator Patrick Flores will also leave in December, while chief executive and director Eugene Tan is stepping down from both roles before 2027, according to The Straits Times.

Chng Hak-Peng, former chief executive of the Singapore Symphony Group, will reportedly take over as NGS chief executive on 1 January 2027. A successor to Tan as director has yet to be named.

When MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reached out, Chng said "We congratulate Lee on his new appointment and wish him and Flores the very best in their future endeavours."

"We are deeply grateful to each of them for their contributions to the Gallery’s first decade. Interim leadership arrangements are in place, and the Gallery’s programmes, partnerships and services continue as planned. We look forward to sharing more about the Gallery’s next chapter in the coming months," he added. 

Photo credits to National Gallery Singapore. 

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