Shou Zi Chew serves as the chief executive officer of TikTok, a role he assumed in 2021 after moving to the company's parent firm, ByteDance. A Singaporean citizen, he manages the operations of an online video platform that has faced significant legislative scrutiny and congressional hearings regarding its influence and security policies within the United States.
Academic Foundation
Born in Singapore in 1983, Chew completed his primary education at the Hwa Chong Institution. Following his compulsory National Service in the Singapore Armed Forces, he moved to England to attend University College London. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics in 2006. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 2010, where he also secured a summer internship at Facebook.
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Chew began his professional career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in London. He transitioned to DST Global, a venture capital firm led by Yuri Milner, where he functioned as a partner. In this capacity, he directed investments into corporations including Alibaba, JD.com, and Xiaomi. His association with ByteDance began in 2013 when he spearheaded a team of early investors in the company.
Executive Roles at Xiaomi and ByteDance
In 2015, Chew joined Xiaomi, where he eventually served as chief financial officer and later as president of international business. By March 2021, he returned to ByteDance as its chief financial officer. Shortly thereafter, he succeeded Kevin A. Mayer as the chief executive officer of the subsidiary TikTok.
Regulatory and Public Engagement
Chew has represented TikTok in multiple high-profile appearances before the United States Congress. He provided testimony in March 2023 regarding potential bans on the platform and again in January 2024 during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on child internet safety. Beyond these legislative appearances, he acted as the honorary chairperson for the 2024 Met Gala and engaged in high-level discussions with Donald Trump in December 2024 concerning the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
Fast facts
- Born: 1983, Singapore
- Citizenship: Singapore
- Education: Hwa Chong Institution, University College London, Harvard Business School
- Former Employer: Xiaomi, DST Global, Goldman Sachs
- Awards: Asia's Most Influential Singapore (2022, 2023, 2024)
- Spouse: Vivian Kao
Questions readers ask
What is Shou Zi Chew's educational background?
He graduated from University College London with a degree in economics and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Where did Shou Zi Chew work before TikTok?
Prior to his current role, he worked at Goldman Sachs, DST Global, and served as CFO and foreign business president at Xiaomi.
Achievements
- Affiliated with TikTok, DST Global and ByteDance
- Educated at University College London and Harvard Business School
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