Temasek CEO Dilhan Pillay Appointed Chairman of Vertex Holdings in Strategic Leadership Shift

Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Vertex Holdings effective April 15, 2026.

He succeeds Teo Ming Kian, who is retiring after serving as chairman, along with deputy chairman Lee Kheng Nam.

Leadership Background and Prior Involvement

Dilhan Pillay previously served on the Vertex Holdings board from 2015 to 2018, bringing deep familiarity with the firm's operations.

Pillay joined Temasek in 2010 and assumed the CEO role in October 2021, succeeding Ho Ching.

Vertex Holdings: A Temasek-Backed VC Powerhouse

Vertex Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek, focuses on venture capital investments in high-growth tech startups across Asia and beyond.

The firm manages multiple funds, including Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, and has a track record of successful investments in sectors like fintech, biotech, and consumer tech.

In FY2025, Vertex Holdings reported profits exceeding US$100 million, underscoring its robust financial performance amid a recovering VC market.

Strategic Impacts and Synergies

This appointment aims to enhance synergies between Temasek and its VC arm, aligning investment strategies for greater impact in the tech ecosystem.

Outgoing leaders Teo Ming Kian and Lee Kheng Nam played pivotal roles in scaling Vertex from its inception as part of Temasek's venture initiatives.

Historically, Temasek has nurtured Vertex to tap into Asia's startup boom, raising billions for funds targeting emerging markets.

Looking ahead, under Pillay's chairmanship, Vertex Holdings is poised to accelerate investments in AI, sustainability, and deep tech amid evolving global opportunities.

The move signals Temasek's commitment to agile leadership in navigating geopolitical shifts and technological disruptions.