Michael Kok Pak Kuan was the first and only Asian to assume the role of Group Chief Executive in the long history of Dairy Farm Group. He started as a trainee fresh from the army in 1972 and rose to become CEO 34 years later.

In 2007, shares of the group were trading at US$3.50 on the Singapore bourse (SGX). By the time he retired, they shot up to US$13, a historical high. Despite facing major headwinds from the global financial crisis in the late 1990s, Michael led the group to unprecedented success with double-digit revenue and profit growth.

By the time he retired in March 2013, Dairy Farm Group had over 5,400 outlets across Asia with a headcount of over 85,000 staff and an annual sales of over US$10 billion.

During the course of his 40-year career, he received the following
awards:
• Outstanding Chief Executive (Overseas) 2008 by the Singapore
Business Awards
• Lifetime Achievement Award from World Retail Congress.
• Inducted into World Retail Hall of Fame in 2013

He was the Torch bearer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.