Our team

Ban Jiun Ean

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ban Jiun Ean read law at the National University of Singapore before joining the Ministry of Law. He spent nine years doing legal policy work, with a focus on the development of Singapore’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry.

Jiun Ean spearheaded the development of the world’s first integrated dispute resolution centre, Maxwell Chambers, which brought together arbitral institutions, service providers and legal practitioners under the same roof in a facility equipped with bespoke dispute resolution rooms and state-of-the-art supporting technology. In 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive of Maxwell Chambers, helming the company for five years and establishing it as the foremost dispute resolution centre of its kind in the world. In 2016, he left Maxwell to pursue several other projects, including the development of an arts centre and to write several novels. In 2019, Jiun Ean was appointed as the Executive Director of Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC), working to strengthen the mediation industry in Singapore and globally.

Jiun Ean returns to Maxwell Chambers as Chief Executive, to augment the team as it continues to build on Maxwell’s position as the premier ADR facility in the world.

Katherine Yap

CHIEF operating officer

Katherine Yap was one of the pioneer visionaries who spearheaded the establishment of Maxwell Chambers in Singapore. She also championed the expansion of Maxwell Chambers new building premise, Maxwell Chambers Suites, in August 2019. Katherine also jointly led Maxwell Chambers through the co-founding of the IACA (International Arbitration Centre Alliance), advocating the use of virtual and hybrid ADR hearings globally. 

Fore fronting all facets of the business, Katherine has over 13 years of experience driving sales growth, leading transformation and advocating innovation in the ADR arena. Her tenacity has attributed to the successful advancement and stronghold that Maxwell Chambers continues to hold across the ADR landscape. 

Katherine further adds to her comprehensive portfolio in the ADR landscape through her certification as an Associate Mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre, Master Mediator for the Community Mediation Centre and Mediator for the Singapore International Mediation Institution. She is also on the Panel of Mediators with Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre and Executive Committee of the Society of Mediation Professionals (Singapore). She has over 9 years of experience in Mediation and actively presides over mediation cases with the CMC. 

Katherine holds a Master of Business Administration and Marketing.

Karen Tan

Chief Strategy Officer

Karen Tan is the Chief Strategy Officer at Maxwell Chambers. She spearheads new initiatives and thought leadership projects at Maxwell Chambers as it continues to expand its services that are complementary to its existing physical and digital business.

Gary Chee

director, IT

Gary Chee is the Director of Information Technology at Maxwell Chambers. As Head of IT, he oversees the strategy, sets the agenda and ensures operation efficiency of the technology team.