Honestbee shuffles management team, names new COO

Singapore’s Honestbee announced it has made various changes to its management team, including the appointment of Varian Lim as its chief operating officer.

Photo credit: Honestbee

The company said that the appointments, all effective October 1, 2019, are part of its efforts in restructuring its beleaguered business.

Lim has been with the on-demand delivery service company since 2015 as its chief of staff. In his new role, he will be responsible for Honestbee’s day-to-day operations in Singapore and in the region.

He was also tasked with executing the company’s short- and long-term vision and goals, implementing best practices, and securing the functionality of the business to drive sustainable growth, according to a statement.

Here are the other senior appointments:

• Zhen Rong Chua as vice president of regional growth
• Kenneth Forbes as vice president of Habitat, Honestbee’s tech-enabled grocery and dining business
• YT Lim as vice president of finance
• Sharon Ong as interim general counsel
• Anthony Ung as vice president of corporate strategy

Honestbee said that its new team will guide it through its “next stage of growth.”

In August 2019, the company filed an application with Singapore’s High Court to start a court-supervised restructuring process. It also looked to get a reprieve from repaying its debt, which was estimated to be at least US$209 million.

The company previously said that the restructuring process will enable it to reevaluate its business and bring down the cost structure without interference.

The application also came soon after the appointment of Lay Ann Ong as the company’s new CEO and the departure of co-founder and chief technology officer Jonathan Low.