Centre for Fathering (CFF), a local non-profit dedicated to strengthening families by empowering and equipping fathers and mothers to be effective, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Derek Lau as its new Chairman, effective 1 October 2025.
A father of three young working adults, Mr Lau is the Founder of THREE2ONE Holdings and brings over 30 years of experience in investment banking and private equity across Southeast Asia. He succeeds Mr Keith Magnus, who has served on the Board for seven years, including four years as Chairman.
Outstanding Contributions
Mr Magnus played a pivotal role in growing CFF’s scale, credibility, and impact during his tenure. He successfully rallied his networks, championed fundraising efforts, forged strategic partnerships, and inspired individual and corporate support for fatherhood, which drew in vital resources that supported CFF’s mission and work. Under his leadership, CFF navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining community engagement and resuming momentum thereafter. It also received its first Charity Transparency Award in 2022, followed by consecutive awards in 2023 and 2024.
Notably, Mr Magnus oversaw the formation of Singapore’s first constituency-based DADs for Life group in Kebun Baru launched by former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and deepened outreach into ethnic communities through the launch of Ibu Sepanjang Hayat, the vernacular expression of MUMs for Life for Malay Muslim mums. Mr Magnus also recognised early on that changing family culture cannot happen in isolation and must be supported by shifts in workplace culture as well. With that conviction, he organised the inaugural Great Companies for Dads Awards in 2021, together with Centre for Fathering’s 20th Anniversary Charity Gala Dinner. The event was graced by former President Halimah Yacob, who officially launched the awards to spotlight employers that champion involved fatherhood and promote family-friendly practices across the corporate landscape.
At the same time, Mr Magnus will continue championing families in his new role as Chairman-Designate for the Families for Life (FFL) Council, a national-level council formed under the Ministry of Social and Family Development. The Families for Life movement is Singapore’s national family movement that seeks to build strong and resilient families as the foundation of our society. An active member of the FFL Council since January 2023, Mr Magnus will succeed Mr Ishak Ismail as Chairman of the Council from 1 January 2026
Mr Magnus reflected, “It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Chairman of CFF. In Mr Lau, I am confident that the organisation will be in capable hands. His vision and expertise will guide the next phase of CFF’s journey, building on our strong legacy of supporting fathers to strengthen families in Singapore.”
A Deep Commitment to Fatherhood
Mr Lau’s distinguished career includes 13 years as CEO and board member of Heliconia Capital, a Temasek Holdings subsidiary, and a decade as Managing Director, Investment, at Temasek Holdings, where he led global investments across diverse sectors. He has also held senior roles in the banking sector. He currently serves as a board member of Kallang Alive Sport Management and sits on the Listings Advisory Committee of Singapore Exchange Limited, the Board of Trustees at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, and the Board Risk Committee of the National Healthcare Group.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Lau said, “I am truly honoured to be entrusted with the role of Chairman at CFF. The work that CFF has done in shaping the future of fatherhood in Singapore is inspiring, and I look forward to working closely with the team and our community. As CFF celebrates its 25th anniversary, my goal is to build on the foundation laid and grow the organisation in the coming years, ensuring that CFF continues to empower fathers and mothers to be the best version of themselves for their families and for society. I would also like to thank Mr Magnus and the Board for their trust as I take on this new role.”