The leaders of several multinational corporations with significant operations in Singapore have been honored with this year’s National Day Awards, announced on August 9. Among the 56 individuals awarded the Public Service Star were Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock; Michael Farrell, chief executive of ResMed; and Patrice Caine, chairman and chief executive of Thales.
The Public Service Star recognizes individuals who have made valuable public service contributions or distinguished themselves in sectors such as business, science, the professions, sports, and the arts.
Larry Fink, who heads BlackRock—the world’s largest asset management firm—is a long-serving member of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) international advisory panel. According to MAS, Fink has provided counsel on a broad range of topics, including global macroeconomic trends, the growth of private markets, asset tokenization, and the effects of artificial intelligence on financial services. Under his leadership, BlackRock has expanded significantly in Singapore and is now the largest asset manager in the country by personnel. The firm’s Singapore operations act as its Southeast Asia hub and are pivotal in risk analytics, technology solutions, and infrastructure. BlackRock also plays a notable role in local industry initiatives, including the Equities Market Review Group, and participates as a key partner in the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership Platform, which supports regional decarbonization efforts.
Michael Farrell has been a prominent advocate for ResMed’s growth in Singapore. The San Diego-based medical device company operates its largest advanced manufacturing facility and regional headquarters in Singapore, which has also developed into a center for innovation and artificial intelligence under his stewardship.
Patrice Caine has contributed to the expansion of Thales’ footprint in Singapore. The French defense and technology firm uses the city-state as its Asian hub for digital identity, security, and aviation solutions. Under Caine’s leadership, Thales has enhanced local capabilities through initiatives like the establishment of its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) Cloud Centre of Excellence and collaborations involving various joint laboratories and technology partnerships.
Other recipients of the Public Service Star this year include Salvatore Sciacchitano, former president of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization; Lucy Ferguson Reed, president of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Court; and Chua Ji-vy, Singapore’s honorary consul-general in Toronto.