MP Shawn Loh to take over as group MD of local firm behind brands like PastaMania

The local company behind brands like PastaMania and Baker & Cook will expand its leadership ranks, with Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh, 38, taking over as group managing director.

- Ng Wei Kai Correspondent

Mr Loh joined Commonwealth Capital Group in April, after leaving his role as director in the Finance Ministry to enter politics.

He was voted in under the PAP banner at the May election.

Current group managing director and founder Andrew Kwan, 58, will become executive chairman, and his son Ryan Kwan, 31, will become deputy group managing director, taking over Mr Loh’s current position.

The changes will take effect from Jan 1, 2026, the company said in a statement on Oct 1.

The older Mr Kwan, who founded the company in 2010, told The Straits Times in an interview on Oct 2 that his new role will involve “steering and shielding” the company.

The business, which now employs more than 1,000 people and earns more than $200 million in annual revenue, is more complex now, with three different areas of operations — logistics, manufacturing and food services, he said.

“I see myself evolving into a different role where I have more bandwidth to ensure that the organisation continues to move in the right direction,” he added.

The move is also about planning for the future, he noted. “I guess age matters - that’s the other thing.”