The recipient of the Distinguished Friends of Singapore Public Service Star is a man dedicated to promoting Asian talent.

Dr Rob J Routs is one of the reasons why Singapore’s economic development has been moving at a fast pace for the past two decades. Dr Routs’ expertise in management and organisational development has not only helped in boosting the growth of Dutch Shell Plc here in Singapore, but has contributed extensively to the growth of Singapore’s energy and chemical industry.

Dr Routs has long been a friend of Singapore. As Shell’s Executive Director of Downstream, Dr Routs’ experience was key in enhancing the scale and competitiveness of Shell’s downstream operations in Singapore. One of the major projects under him was Shell’s largest petrochemical project in Asia – the Shell Eastern Petrochemical Complex (SEPC). Despite encountering some initial challenges due to rising global steel and construction costs, Dr Routs continued to champion the project. He believed that the integration of the new ethylene cracker complex with Shell’s existing Bukom refinery would be of strategic importance to both Shell and Singapore. Indeed, SEPC will help catalyse the next wave of growth for Singapore’s chemical industry by attracting high value downstream investments into the country.

Aside from steering his company, Dr Routs is a strong believer in people development. He was part of Shell’s strategy to “Grow East,” and an important element of that strategy was to develop “Asian talent for Asia.” As he said during the awarding ceremony, “The growth is in Asia.” Because of his strong belief, he strengthened the Republic’s role as Shell’s regional hub for business and talent development.

Dr Routs was also personally involved in fleshing out Singapore’s economic development strategies. He was an active member of the Singapore Economic Development Board’s (EDB) International Advisory Council from 2005 to 2009, and was an Emeritus Member after that. “A big part of why Singapore is such a success is that its government actively seeks out and takes the advice of industry leaders in a very direct and open forum to try and improve its competitiveness for the better of the country and the population,” said Dr Routs.