Shou Zi Chew
Who was Shou Zi Chew?
CEO of TikTok since 2021, leading the popular social media platform used by over one billion people worldwide. He previously held senior positions at Xiaomi and worked as an investment banker.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Shou Zi Chew (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Shou Zi Chew (Chinese: 周受资; pinyin: Zhōu Shòuzī; born 1 January 1983) is a Singaporean business leader who has been the CEO of TikTok since 2021. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has become one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, boasting over a billion active users in more than 150 countries. Chew is considered one of the most influential Singaporeans in the global tech industry.
Chew studied at Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore before going abroad for higher education. He earned his undergraduate degree from University College London and later completed his MBA at Harvard Business School, where he honed the skills that have shaped his career in technology and finance. His education set him up for roles in investment, corporate strategy, and the tech sector.
Before joining ByteDance, Chew worked as an investment banker and then moved to senior positions at Xiaomi, a Chinese electronics and smart manufacturing company, where he was chief financial officer. At Xiaomi, he gained valuable experience in managing the finances and strategic plans of a large tech company operating internationally. He joined ByteDance in 2021 and became TikTok's CEO that same year during a challenging time for the platform.
As CEO, Chew has managed significant regulatory and political scrutiny, especially in the U.S., where data privacy concerns and the Chinese ownership of TikTok have led to legal challenges. In March 2023, he spoke before the U.S. Congress in a hearing that got widespread attention, addressing questions about TikTok's data policies, its connection with ByteDance, and its impact on young users. This hearing was one of the most watched involving a tech executive in recent times.
Chew is married to Vivian Kao. He has been acknowledged several times for his impact in Asia, receiving the Asia's Most Influential Singapore title in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He continues to guide TikTok during a heated global discussion on social media regulation and the role of tech companies with international ownership.
Before Fame
Shou Zi Chew was born on January 1, 1983, in Singapore. The city-state is known for producing many internationally recognized business and finance professionals. He attended Hwa Chong Institution, one of Singapore's top schools, before heading abroad for college at University College London. Like many Singaporean professionals, he followed a path of elite schooling and international education leading to careers in global finance and technology.
After earning his MBA from Harvard Business School, Chew started in investment banking, gaining experience in capital markets and corporate finance. He later moved into operational roles in the technology sector. His role as CFO at Xiaomi marked his entry into the senior levels of technology company leadership. This position helped him build the profile and expertise that led to his appointment as CEO of TikTok in 2021.
Key Achievements
- Appointed CEO of TikTok in 2021, overseeing a platform with more than one billion active users worldwide
- Led TikTok through sustained regulatory scrutiny in the United States and multiple other jurisdictions while maintaining global user growth
- Testified before the United States Congress in 2023 in one of the most prominent technology-focused hearings in recent legislative history
- Served as CFO of Xiaomi, contributing to the company's financial strategy and international expansion
- Named Asia's Most Influential Singapore recipient for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024
Did You Know?
- 01.Chew testified before the United States Congress in March 2023 in a hearing that lasted more than five hours and was watched by millions of people globally.
- 02.He was appointed CEO of TikTok in 2021, the same year he formally joined ByteDance, moving quickly from his role at Xiaomi to lead one of the world's most downloaded applications.
- 03.Chew has received the Asia's Most Influential Singapore award three consecutive times, in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- 04.He completed his MBA at Harvard Business School, an institution that has produced a disproportionate number of technology and finance executives.
- 05.TikTok surpassed one billion monthly active users under Chew's tenure, making it one of the fastest social media platforms to reach that milestone.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asia's Most Influential Singapore | 2022 | — |
| Asia's Most Influential Singapore | 2023 | — |
| Asia's Most Influential Singapore | 2024 | — |