GovTech Singapore gets new Head of Software Engineering Practice

By Si Ying Thian

Software engineering guru Winston Teo, with prior experience in e-commerce and state-owned utilities group, takes up the new role at GovTech Singapore.

Teo's Software Engineering Practice team at GovTech Singapore will build the foundations that enable the whole-of-government to deliver tech. Image: Winston Teo's LinkedIn; GovTech Singapore.

Winston Teo started his role in GovTech Singapore as Director, Head of Software Engineering Practice, since July this year. 


GovTech Singapore is the lead government agency driving the country's public sector digital transformation. 


Teo’s team is tasked with “building the foundations that will enable GovTech and the whole-of-government to deliver technology with greater efficiency, higher quality and long-term impact,” he writes in a LinkedIn post


His role is situated within the government technology office (GTO) wing at GovTech, which oversees innovative tech adoption and development of a strategic framework for CISO services across government agencies.  


This marks Teo’s second role in the Singapore public sector, as he previously helmed the digital team at Singapore Power (SP Group) as a pioneer member. 


SP Digital is the technical team that leads the digital transformation for the Group.  


One of Teo’s key achievements at SP Digital was supervising a team of over 80 engineers across different platforms to relaunch the company’s mobile app within six months, he highlighted in his LinkedIn profile.  


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Prior to GovTech, he spent five years as a Senior Development Manager at multinational e-commerce company, Shopify.  


On the transition from private back to the public sector, Teo said in his post: “Many people have asked why I made this transition (with real shock on their faces).  


“The challenge at GovTech is immense and intense — and that’s exactly what drew me in.  


“I’ve always believed that the most growth happens when you're tackling the toughest problems. This role offers the chance to create real impact on a large scale, something that deeply excites me.” 


Teo is also a practitioner and advocate of adopting agile methodologies in software engineering practices, particularly in his previous work experience in startups and having founded his own software and training consultancy. 


Tech in Asia previously featured Teo’s profile story, which highlighted how his perspectives around engineering has evolved and the passion he has in mentoring. 


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