Thales has appointed Derek Cheng as Country Director for Singapore and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Solutions Asia, effective October 1, 2026, the French aerospace and defence technology group announced.
Cheng succeeds Emily Tan, who is leaving the group to pursue a new opportunity.
In his new roles, Cheng will oversee more than 2,000 employees across four sites in Singapore, including Thales’ largest multi-module digital identity and security manufacturing centre at Ayer Rajah Crescent and its largest avionics production and MRO facility at Changi North Rise.
Cheng joins Thales from Vertical Aerospace, where he served as Vice-President and Head of Commercial for Asia-Pacific. He led the development of the company’s advanced air mobility business in the region, overseeing commercial operations, business development and strategic partnerships.
Before that, he held several senior positions at Airbus in Toulouse and Singapore, including Head of Asia-Pacific for Airbus Urban Mobility and Head of Asia-Pacific for Government and Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. His responsibilities included regional business development, international cooperation and industrial and sustainable aviation partnerships.
Cheng began his career at Singapore’s Economic Development Board, where he supported the development of the country’s aerospace and high-technology industries. He later served as the agency’s regional director for Europe, based in Frankfurt.
Thales said Cheng’s background in aerospace engineering and experience across the aviation industry would support its operations and growth in Singapore, where the group has manufacturing, engineering and maintenance activities.
