SingTel has chosen outgoing Group CEO Lee Hsien Yang's successor.

She is its current CFO and CEO (International), Chua Sock Koong.

Even as SingTel announced it was embarking on a global search for a new CEO, Chua and CEO (Singapore) Allen Lew were widely speculated to be two of the those considered for the post.

So while Chua's appointment wasn't a huge surprise (to me), it was still one of the most interesting stories of yesterday.

She is obviously a choice candidate, having been with the company for 17 years since 1989, has the right credentials and carries herself extremely well.

Of course there are those who wonder if she was too conservative a choice, rising from within the SingTel family.

But she is in the thick of things as CEO (International) and should not have any problems with executing SingTel's focus on its overseas strategies.

The question now is, once Chua takes over as CEO, who's to become the next CFO?

My one lingering question prevails though: Where would Lee go to next?

I have a soft spot for Lee, having exchanged a few pleasantries with him in a crowded lift.

He came across as rather lonely and somewhat awkward to be standing in the lift with staff trickling in from various floors and looking away hurriedly after noticing their big boss was in the lift too.

So I'm as eager as any analyst or stock-watcher to see where he heads to next.

After all, Lee IS the face of SingTel.

He has publicly ruled out any interest in politics and says he is considering options too premature to mention now.

There was talk he might move over to Neptune Orient Lines, since they're still searching for their new chief to replace David Lim.

We can speculate all we want, but Lee is a very difficult person to read and unless he is ready to tell us where he is going, we are just going to be left guessing.

One thing's for sure, he probably will not be subjected to any more strange antics like being Richard Branson's tail during their lion dance segment when Virgin Mobile did a joint launch with SingTel some years back.

For now, congratulations Ms Chua, on being the first female chief of SingTel.

I'm sure you'll be able to carry on Mr Lee's legacy since you've worked so closely with him over the years.

And Mr Lee, we await your next move with bated breath.

Serene Lim