Sheng Siong founder Lim Hock Chee was awarded the top accolade in the Singapore Business Awards: Businessman of the Year.

The owner of Singapore’s third largest supermarket chain with 55 outlets, was humble about his achievement: “This company does not have a boss, there are only staff. The customer is the real boss. That’s why I have been reminding my working companions not to be mistaken about who their boss is,” Lim said his acceptance speech.

Four years ago, Lim also collected The Enterprise Award on behalf of the supermarket at the same awards.

Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance encouraged all award winners – as well as the 520 business leaders present at the gala dinner – to adapt and transform.

“All of you as corporate leaders will know and appreciate the enormity of this challenge,” Wong said.

“There’s no room to be complacent; there’s no such thing as keeping the status quo, Likewise, the choice for Singapore is simple – we adapt or perish.”

The awards were chosen by a panel of judges from the business sector, official agencies and academia.

“The four winners of this year’s Singapore Business Awards have all demonstrated amazing grit, persistence and flair in their respective businesses and SBA 2019 has recognised the efforts and contributions to each of their industries,” said Wong Wei Kong, chairman of the SBA organising committee and editor of the The Business Times.

Launched in 1985, the SBA is jointly organised by The Business Times, DHL Express Singapore.