Mr Lim Chin Beng, 71, graduated from the University of Malaya (Singapore) in 1956 with an Honours Degree in Economics. In that year, he joined the Singapore Civil Service as an Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Finance. Four years later, in 1960, he left the civil service to join Malayan Airlines, the forerunner of Singapore Airlines. He rose through the ranks and in 1971, was appointed as the airline's Managing Director. When Singapore Airlines was established in 1972, he was appointed its Managing Director. Ten years later, Mr Lim became the airline's Deputy Chairman. He formally relinquished his duties as Deputy Chairman of Singapore Airlines in July 1996. He was concurrently Chairman of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board from December 1985 to November 1989.

Mr Lim was also Singapore's ambassador to Japan between July 1991 and November 1997.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the airline and tourism industries, Mr Lim was awarded the Businessman of the Year Award in 1986 and the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award in 1990. In 1998 Mr Lim was also appointed a member of the Public Service Commission by the President of Singapore. In 1997, Mr Lim was inducted as a legend into the Aviation Week & Space Technology Laureates Hall of Fame for building a privately owned airline into an international financial success that enabled it to modernise its fleet with a $900-million order for 17 Boeing 747 and 727 transports.

In 2001, he was appointed the Chief Negotiator for the negotiations with Japan for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. The FTA was successfully concluded and signed in early 2002.

Mr Lim is currently the Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, the Ascott Group and a Director of CapitaLand Limited, Pontiac Land and StarHub Pte Ltd.