Tharman has been Senior Minister since 2019, after serving as Deputy Prime Minister for nine years. He chairs the National Jobs Council, recently set up to create jobs for Singaporeans following Covid-19. He also coordinates social policies and advises the Prime Minister on economic policies.

Tharman was first elected as MP in 2001 in Jurong GRC, where he has served ever since. He has dedicated his whole working life to public service. He served for five years as Minister for Education, where he led reforms for a more flexible education system, and for nine years as Minister for Finance.

He also flies the Singapore flag high internationally. He chairs the Group of Thirty, a global council of economic leaders. He led the G20 Eminent Persons Group which proposed major reforms in 2018, to achieve a more cooperative system of international finance. He leads the Advisory Board for the UN’s Human Development Report, and also co-chairs the Global Education Forum.

Tharman spent all his time on sports in his youth. He picked up interest in studies only later, after his NS. He obtained bachelor and master’s degrees in economics at the London School of Economics and Cambridge University. He later did a master’s in public administration at Harvard University, where he received an award for outstanding performance and leadership potential.

He is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi, who is actively involved in community work. They have four children.

Chairperson:
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Email:
tharman_mps@tjmps.sg