SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lee Hsien Yang, the brother of Singapore's prime minister and chairman of Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N), will enter a new chapter in his corporate life - and could well leave F&N - as the group looks set to be taken over by Thailand's third-richest man.
Lee, 55, the second son of Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, oversaw a bidding war for F&N that led to Southeast Asia's biggest corporate takeover. The deal values the 130-year-old drinks and property conglomerate at around $11 billion and will reward shareholders handsomely.
Despite some friction with Lee's board, there are compelling reasons for Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi to keep on the astute, well-connected scion as the Thai beer baron looks to unlock value from F&N's drinks business, distribution networks and premier properties.
"He will leave F&N - that's my sense," said Mano Sabnani, a minority shareholder and former senior executive at a Singapore newspaper. "If they wanted him and they asked him then maybe. But Hsien Yang is a very capable chap. For him to get other roles is not a problem."
Lee's future is sure to be a hot topic at a shareholder meeting on Tuesday.
Thai takeover opens exit door for coveted F&N chairman Lee - Yahoo! Singapore Finance
