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'''Calvin Cheng Ern Lee''' is a businessman from Singapore who started his career in the [[modeling agency]] and entertainment businesses. He became involved in government, serving as a [[Nominated Member of Parliament]] and on a government council intended to promote civility on the internet, shortly after which he made controversial remarks about killing the children of terrorists on his Facebook page. He had meanwhile pivoted his entertainment business in China into an [[educational technology]] company called Retech, offering digitized training materials to Chinese companies.
'''Calvin Cheng Ern Lee''' is a businessman and former politician from Singapore. He was an appointed legislator in Singapore’s Parliament, serving as a [[Nominated Member of Parliament]]. He started his career holding senior roles in [[Elite Model Management]] and [[Ford Models]]. He also posts frequently on his public facebook page on socio-political events in Singapore, sometimes making controversial remarks. Cheng pivoted his entertainment business in China into an [[educational technology]] company called Retech, offering digitized training materials to Chinese companies. Retech listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in June 2017.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
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In 2005, Cheng helped found an association of modeling agencies in Singapore called the Association of Modelling Industry Professionals Singapore (AMIP) to improve standards and professionalism in Singapore's fashion industry and to increase pay for models and their agencies.<ref name=asia1>Electric New Paper. 13 June 2005 [https://web.archive.org/web/20080308092921/http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0%2C4139%2C89812%2C00.html Talent Scouts or Talent Touts]</ref><ref name="asiaone.com"/> At the time, models in Singapore were paid about $250 for a fashion show while the same work paid $850 in Hong Kong or China.<ref name="asiaone.com"/> The association succeeded in increasing wages for shows and fashion shoots but in 2011 the members of the association were fined for [[price fixing]].<ref name="asiaone.com">{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130506-420591.html|title=Agencies which fixed prices had 'noble goals'|work=asiaone.com}}</ref>
In 2005, Cheng helped found an association of modeling agencies in Singapore called the Association of Modelling Industry Professionals Singapore (AMIP) to improve standards and professionalism in Singapore's fashion industry and to increase pay for models and their agencies.<ref name=asia1>Electric New Paper. 13 June 2005 [https://web.archive.org/web/20080308092921/http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0%2C4139%2C89812%2C00.html Talent Scouts or Talent Touts]</ref><ref name="asiaone.com"/> At the time, models in Singapore were paid about $250 for a fashion show while the same work paid $850 in Hong Kong or China.<ref name="asiaone.com"/> The association succeeded in increasing wages for shows and fashion shoots but in 2011 the members of the association were fined for [[price fixing]].<ref name="asiaone.com">{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130506-420591.html|title=Agencies which fixed prices had 'noble goals'|work=asiaone.com}}</ref>


In July 2009, Cheng was appointed a [[Nominated Member of Parliament]] in Singapore.<ref name="NMP">{{Singapore Hansard|mp=Abdullah Tarmugi|office=Speaker|title=Nominated Members of Parliament (Announcement by Mr Speaker)|url=http://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/topic.jsp?currentTopicID=00073615-ZZ|date=20 July 2009|volume=86|column=798}}; {{citation|author=Clarissa Oon|author2=Jeremy Au Yong|title=Panel submits names of nine new NMPs|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=7 July 2009|pages=A1, A4}}; {{citation|author=Loh Chee Kong |author2=Ong Dai Lin |title=A brand new slate: A unionist, a vocal sociologist, a former swim queen among the names unveiled |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090707-0000120/A-brand-new-slate |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5iHQhnk7F?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090707-0000120/A-brand-new-slate |archivedate=15 July 2009 |newspaper=Today |date=7 July 2009 |pages=1, 4 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}.</ref> and in the same year was honoured by the [[World Economic Forum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.weforum.org/pdf/YGL/YGL2009_Honorees.pdf|title = Young Global Leader Honorees 2009|date = |accessdate = 23 November 2015|website = World Economic Forum|publisher = |last = |first = |deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150404114558/http://www.weforum.org/pdf/YGL/YGL2009_Honorees.pdf|archivedate = 4 April 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_YGL2009|title=The Forum of Young Global Leaders|work=The Forum of Young Global Leaders - World Economic Forum|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816003250/http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_YGL2009|archivedate=16 August 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> one of five to be chosen from Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090228-125168.html|title=S'pore 5 on list of young global leaders|work=asiaone.com}}</ref>
In July 2009, Cheng was appointed a [[Nominated Member of Parliament]] in Singapore.<ref name="NMP">{{Singapore Hansard|mp=Abdullah Tarmugi|office=Speaker|title=Nominated Members of Parliament (Announcement by Mr Speaker)|url=http://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/topic.jsp?currentTopicID=00073615-ZZ|date=20 July 2009|volume=86|column=798}}; {{citation|author=Clarissa Oon|author2=Jeremy Au Yong|title=Panel submits names of nine new NMPs|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=7 July 2009|pages=A1, A4}}; {{citation|author=Loh Chee Kong |author2=Ong Dai Lin |title=A brand new slate: A unionist, a vocal sociologist, a former swim queen among the names unveiled |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090707-0000120/A-brand-new-slate |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5iHQhnk7F?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090707-0000120/A-brand-new-slate |archivedate=15 July 2009 |newspaper=Today |date=7 July 2009 |pages=1, 4 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}.</ref> and in the same year was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the [[World Economic Forum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.weforum.org/pdf/YGL/YGL2009_Honorees.pdf|title = Young Global Leader Honorees 2009|date = |accessdate = 23 November 2015|website = World Economic Forum|publisher = |last = |first = |deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150404114558/http://www.weforum.org/pdf/YGL/YGL2009_Honorees.pdf|archivedate = 4 April 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_YGL2009|title=The Forum of Young Global Leaders|work=The Forum of Young Global Leaders - World Economic Forum|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816003250/http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_YGL2009|archivedate=16 August 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> one of five to be chosen from Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090228-125168.html|title=S'pore 5 on list of young global leaders|work=asiaone.com}}</ref>


In 2011, Cheng was appointed the franchisee for [[Ford Models Supermodel of the World]] for Singapore, Malaysia and China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/4/16/lifefocus/8486414&sec=lifefocus%7ctitle=Archives%7cwork=thestar.com.my|title=Archives|work=thestar.com.my}}</ref><ref>http://www.thesundaily.my/news/fashion/model-search{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2011, Cheng was appointed the franchisee for [[Ford Models Supermodel of the World]] for Singapore, Malaysia and China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/4/16/lifefocus/8486414&sec=lifefocus%7ctitle=Archives%7cwork=thestar.com.my|title=Archives|work=thestar.com.my}}</ref><ref>http://www.thesundaily.my/news/fashion/model-search{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
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In November 2015 Cheng generated controversy by writing provocative comments on his Facebook page about killing the children of terrorists, which led to a response from the Chairman of the MLC who said that the comments were “insensitive” and “inappropriate” and also said “I have spoken to Mr Cheng and counselled him that as a member of the Council he will be held to and judged by a higher standard compared to a private citizen...as a member of the Council he has to visibly uphold the values that the Council espouses”.<ref name=MLCchair>Staff, Today Online. 27 Nov, 2015 [http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/calvin-chengs-killing-children-remarks-insensitive-and-inappropriate-mlc-chairman Calvin Cheng’s ‘killing children’ remarks ‘insensitive and inappropriate’: MLC chairman]</ref> Cheng apologized.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Chew Hui Min|title=Calvin Cheng's comments on 'killing children' insensitive, but not hate speech, says Media Literacy Council|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/calvin-chengs-comments-on-killing-children-insensitive-but-not-hate-speech-says-media|accessdate=26 March 2017|work=The Straits Times|date=28 November 2015|language=en}}</ref><ref name=MLCchair/>
In November 2015 Cheng generated controversy by writing provocative comments on his Facebook page about killing the children of terrorists, which led to a response from the Chairman of the MLC who said that the comments were “insensitive” and “inappropriate” and also said “I have spoken to Mr Cheng and counselled him that as a member of the Council he will be held to and judged by a higher standard compared to a private citizen...as a member of the Council he has to visibly uphold the values that the Council espouses”.<ref name=MLCchair>Staff, Today Online. 27 Nov, 2015 [http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/calvin-chengs-killing-children-remarks-insensitive-and-inappropriate-mlc-chairman Calvin Cheng’s ‘killing children’ remarks ‘insensitive and inappropriate’: MLC chairman]</ref> Cheng apologized.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Chew Hui Min|title=Calvin Cheng's comments on 'killing children' insensitive, but not hate speech, says Media Literacy Council|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/calvin-chengs-comments-on-killing-children-insensitive-but-not-hate-speech-says-media|accessdate=26 March 2017|work=The Straits Times|date=28 November 2015|language=en}}</ref><ref name=MLCchair/>


In August 2015 Cheng had merged his franchising business into another company in China. The new company was called Retech and its business was [[educational technology]], digitizing [[corporate training]] materials for companies in China that Retech obtained from the companies or from third parties. Retech raised around AU$18M on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/technology/chinese-edtech-firm-retech-seeks-112-million-asx-ipo-20170202-gu3pig|title=Chinese ed-tech firm ReTech seeks $112 million ASX IPO|last=|first=|date=|website=Asian Financial Review|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Millward|first1=Steven|title=From Singapore to China to IPO|url=https://www.techinasia.com/calvin-cheng-singapore-to-china-to-ipo|work=Tech in Asia|date=June 21, 2017}}</ref>
In August 2015 Cheng had merged a company he started in China with another company. The new company - Retech - specialised in [[educational technology]], digitizing [[corporate training]] materials for companies in China that Retech obtained from the companies or from third parties. Retech raised around AU$18M on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] in June 2017 in an [[Initial public offering|Initial Public Offering]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/technology/chinese-edtech-firm-retech-seeks-112-million-asx-ipo-20170202-gu3pig|title=Chinese ed-tech firm ReTech seeks $112 million ASX IPO|last=|first=|date=|website=Asian Financial Review|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Millward|first1=Steven|title=From Singapore to China to IPO|url=https://www.techinasia.com/calvin-cheng-singapore-to-china-to-ipo|work=Tech in Asia|date=June 21, 2017}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 07:35, 4 November 2017

Calvin Cheng
Born
Calvin Cheng Ern Lee[1]

(1975-09-24) 24 September 1975 (age 49)[1]
Singapore
Alma materOxford University
Occupation(s)Running fashion, entertainment, and educational technology businesses

Calvin Cheng Ern Lee is a businessman and former politician from Singapore. He was an appointed legislator in Singapore’s Parliament, serving as a Nominated Member of Parliament. He started his career holding senior roles in Elite Model Management and Ford Models. He also posts frequently on his public facebook page on socio-political events in Singapore, sometimes making controversial remarks. Cheng pivoted his entertainment business in China into an educational technology company called Retech, offering digitized training materials to Chinese companies. Retech listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in June 2017.

Life and career

Cheng graduated from Oxford University (Hertford College) in the United Kingdom, with a Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and a Master of Science in Management.[1]

Cheng was the Asia-Pacific head of Elite Model Management from 2001-2004,[1] and generally worked to create opportunities for Elite in Asian markets, and to bring Asian models to the world market at a time when the fashion industry was becoming more aware of Asia due to China's economic growth,[2] but was still driven by Western ideals of beauty and Asian stereotypes were difficult to overcome.[3][4] In 2003 in India, Cheng opened an Elite Agency and announced plans to open a modeling school,[5] and in the same year in Korea, Cheng worked with the head of the existing Korean Elite agency to discover Korean models that could compete internationally.[6]

In 2004 Cheng set up the Looque agency in Singapore.[1][7]

In 2005, Cheng helped found an association of modeling agencies in Singapore called the Association of Modelling Industry Professionals Singapore (AMIP) to improve standards and professionalism in Singapore's fashion industry and to increase pay for models and their agencies.[8][9] At the time, models in Singapore were paid about $250 for a fashion show while the same work paid $850 in Hong Kong or China.[9] The association succeeded in increasing wages for shows and fashion shoots but in 2011 the members of the association were fined for price fixing.[9]

In July 2009, Cheng was appointed a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore.[10] and in the same year was honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.[11][12] one of five to be chosen from Singapore.[13]

In 2011, Cheng was appointed the franchisee for Ford Models Supermodel of the World for Singapore, Malaysia and China.[14][15]

Between 2012 - 2014 Cheng was appointed to the newly formed Media Literacy Council (MLC) of Singapore's Ministry of Communications and Information, which was created to "promote civility and responsibility on the Internet"[16] Between 2014-2015, Cheng was appointed to the Advisory Board of the newly formed Singapore Media Festival.[17][18]

In November 2015 Cheng generated controversy by writing provocative comments on his Facebook page about killing the children of terrorists, which led to a response from the Chairman of the MLC who said that the comments were “insensitive” and “inappropriate” and also said “I have spoken to Mr Cheng and counselled him that as a member of the Council he will be held to and judged by a higher standard compared to a private citizen...as a member of the Council he has to visibly uphold the values that the Council espouses”.[19] Cheng apologized.[20][19]

In August 2015 Cheng had merged a company he started in China with another company. The new company - Retech - specialised in educational technology, digitizing corporate training materials for companies in China that Retech obtained from the companies or from third parties. Retech raised around AU$18M on the Australian Securities Exchange in June 2017 in an Initial Public Offering.[21][22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "CV-Calvin Cheng". Parliament of Singapore. Archived from the original on 19 January 2011.
  2. ^ "The Global Makeover".
  3. ^ "Eyes of the beholder". chinadaily.com.cn.
  4. ^ Suzanne Sng (6 November 2003). "Asia's Elite Corps". yale.edu.
  5. ^ "'We'll identify & train new faces'". timesofindia-economictimes.
  6. ^ "A Korean look for the world". joins.com.
  7. ^ Looque "About us" page. Page accessed March 18, 2016.
  8. ^ Electric New Paper. 13 June 2005 Talent Scouts or Talent Touts
  9. ^ a b c "Agencies which fixed prices had 'noble goals'". asiaone.com.
  10. ^ Abdullah Tarmugi (Speaker), "Nominated Members of Parliament (Announcement by Mr Speaker)", Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (20 July 2009), vol. 86, col. 798; Clarissa Oon; Jeremy Au Yong (7 July 2009), "Panel submits names of nine new NMPs", The Straits Times, pp. A1, A4; Loh Chee Kong; Ong Dai Lin (7 July 2009), "A brand new slate: A unionist, a vocal sociologist, a former swim queen among the names unveiled", Today, pp. 1, 4, archived from the original on 15 July 2009 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help).
  11. ^ "Young Global Leader Honorees 2009" (PDF). World Economic Forum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "The Forum of Young Global Leaders". The Forum of Young Global Leaders - World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "S'pore 5 on list of young global leaders". asiaone.com.
  14. ^ "Archives". thestar.com.my.
  15. ^ http://www.thesundaily.my/news/fashion/model-search[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Media Development Authority of Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. 30 July 2012 Press Release: New Council to oversee cyber wellness, media literacy initiatives
  17. ^ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nine-global-media-industry-professionals-084200404.html
  18. ^ http://www.mda.gov.sg/Documents/News/2014/Annex%20A_Singapore%20Media%20Festival%20Advisory%20Board%20Members.pdf
  19. ^ a b Staff, Today Online. 27 Nov, 2015 Calvin Cheng’s ‘killing children’ remarks ‘insensitive and inappropriate’: MLC chairman
  20. ^ Chew Hui Min (28 November 2015). "Calvin Cheng's comments on 'killing children' insensitive, but not hate speech, says Media Literacy Council". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Chinese ed-tech firm ReTech seeks $112 million ASX IPO". Asian Financial Review. Retrieved 1 November 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  22. ^ Millward, Steven (21 June 2017). "From Singapore to China to IPO". Tech in Asia.
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