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News
20 May 2011

Fridae starts a new chapter

by Fridae

Fridae announces today the resignation of Dr Stuart Koe as Director and CEO of the company and all its affiliates, and the appointment of Terry Battersby as the new CEO.

The following is an announcement from the Board of Fridae:

Fridae announces today – at the start of its twelfth year of operations – new leadership and the resignation of Dr Stuart Koe as Director and CEO of the company and all its affiliates.

Stuart is one of the original founders of Fridae together with Mark Henderson and Robert Yeoh (who passed away in July 2007 ) and Stuart has been the CEO of the company since May 2003. The Board respects his decision and wishes him well for the future.

With Stuart’s resignation, it is with great pleasure that the Board has appointed a new CEO, Terry Battersby, the former head of I.T and Telecommunications of the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) in Brussels, Belgium. Terry has just moved back to live in Asia and the timing has been indeed fortunate for the company. Terry has had more than 30 years experience in I.T. and business development in Malaysia, the UK, Italy, Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa, and the European Commission. Terry’s business development expertise will be very important in taking Fridae forward.

Very soon, Fridae will be launching its new website, Version 7, using new technology and supporting new applications. The first of these to be launched later in the year will be its new mobile dating service.

Fridae is today the premier multi-lingual gay website in Asia with a clear and unwavering vision which has never shifted since its inception: Fridae is working towards a world where every individual, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, may live equally, in dignity, with pride.

Printable Version

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-05-20 18:04  
Wow - Does this mean we can expect some decent response times and less system busy messages? I'd even be happy if editing my profile was easy and didn't fail to save the changes.
2. 2011-05-20 20:28  
So how about hiring some international writing and editing staff next? I could use a 12-18 month gig in S'pore. ;-)
Comment #3 was deleted by its author on 2011-08-13 17:33
4. 2011-05-20 21:30  
又被白人管.是否被白人財團迫出局?? 亞洲人有很多博士懂商業可做 CEO, 為什麼要白人? Fridae 白人管可笑失望.
5. 2011-05-20 21:53  
Stuart, just want to say thanks for sticking up for us all these years, being committed to building a community via Fridae and outside of it (no matter how nasty and unappreciative some people are), and providing the resources to help establish Indignation and Pink dot, and numerous other community projects.
6. 2011-05-20 22:53  
Is this something to do with his being arrested for the posession of crystal meth?
Comment edited on 2011-05-23 14:33:02
7. 2011-05-20 23:13  
I would like to wish Stuart all the very best....and to congratulate him on his many efforts for the LGBT IQ community
8. 2011-05-21 01:08  
Stuart, we shall miss you! You have been a beacon for us and will continue to be one ... All the best!
9. 2011-05-21 02:20  
I wish all the success in Stuart's future undertakings and welcoming the new CEO, Terry on-board and wish to work closely with the promotion of The Straits Games (TSG2011KL), the 10th Anniversary to be held in KL.

-Ivan-
10. 2011-05-21 02:34  
This site is actually pretty decent. Great job Stuart and welcome aboard Terry!
11. 2011-05-21 04:54  
hey Fridae, give us free Perks to celebrate ;P
12. 2011-05-21 05:07  
#5- Agreed and well-said, Kellen. :)

To Dr Koe: I would like to say a big THANK YOU xx...and regretfully, farewell. All the best to you and hopefully, this will not be the last contact we have of you...please keep in touch with us, even if it's through an occasional article, FB post or blog/vlog..anything!

And welcome aboard, Mr Battersby. :)
13. 2011-05-21 05:32  
I hope fridae will still retain its concept as leading lgbt website for asian
14. 2011-05-21 05:32  
I hope fridae will still retain its concept as leading lgbt website for asian
15. 2011-05-21 10:24  
Thank you, stu! U and your team have done a tremendous job in the past decades!
16. 2011-05-21 14:10  
Dr. Koe, proud of you and your leadership with Fridae in the past years. You have done a lot for our community. A big thank you from bottom of our hearts. Wish you ever success in your upcoming venture.
17. 2011-05-21 14:24  
Live chat please!
18. 2011-05-21 19:04  
Well wishes and the best if luck in your future plans Stuart! You paved a way for opening a lot of doors and windows for the GBLT community in Asia.
Comment #19 was deleted by its author on 2011-05-21 19:39
20. 2011-05-21 19:41  
Thank you, Stuart, for you long standing leadership. Things were not always easy but you will be remembered nevertheless as a spirited founding father of Fridae.
All the best in your future endeavours.
Live long.
Warm personal regards. JP
21. 2011-05-21 19:46  
Does that mean that Fridae might be 'CHROME' compatible?
22. 2011-05-21 20:39  
i have no idea who these people are....but a new server would make a difference, so my computer won't crash every time I try to access my inbox on fridae!
23. 2011-05-22 00:00  
Stuart, you made a huge difference in the lives of LGBTs here in Singapore. I will always remember Fridae.com as the site that gave us an opportunity to creep out of our shells, and a chance to see just how big and wonderful outside. I've heard of some of the personal sacrifices you have made to make this company and site work. May there be more people like you to step up! Best wishes to you and the new Fridae. You will always have my respect!
24. 2011-05-22 01:13  
Wishing Fridae well in this time of transition.
25. 2011-05-22 01:41  
I met Stuart 2-3 years ago and he was very passionate about his work for the LGBT community. I wish him well with whatever he is moving on to.
26. 2011-05-22 02:46  
Stuart Koe stood up for LGBT people in Singapore and throughout Asia. That made Fridae more than just another dating site. Best wishes to him and Bravo!
27. 2011-05-22 05:46  
I value the Fridae website and visit frequently. Like others I have ideas concerning the development of this site.

However the way the announcement is phrased leaves a nasty taste in the mouth - there is clearly some unpleasantness at board level.

We trust that this new CEO has the unanimous and comprehensive backing of the entire board.

Even if the board does not wish to extend any thanks and appreciation to Dr Koe I wish to join the majority of authors of comments here and to say thank you for all his efforts and to wish him well in the future.
28. 2011-05-22 08:01  
i dont dislike 'change' per se. however; over the past 5+ years every change ive seen has been ONLY done to fatten the bottom line, and to hell with EVERYTHING else.

this will either be "typical" or exceptional. lets hope for exceptional. but im ready to dump out, as was necessary with the recent trashing of 'myspace' by fox as they claimed "improvements". they improved it so much, it is now dead and for sale!

i wait with crossed fingers
29. 2011-05-22 08:11  
This is a wonderful resource for the community. Thanks to those many unseen persons who work so hard to make Fridae such an enduring success.
30. 2011-05-22 08:41  
Tx, Stuart for everything and best wishes in what you doing next.

Welcome on board Terry.

Time for a wake-up call for Fridae to be an easy to use portal. Having an IT guy as the top man should be a bonus. Start looking around for ideas from other sites and incorporate what the members need not what Fridae thinks we need to keep us coming back here on regular basis.
Comment #31 was deleted by its author on 2011-05-22 08:41
32. 2011-05-22 12:06  
Strange that the official Board announcement gives no acknowledgement or thanks to Stuart's efforts over the past 12 years, given his commitment.
I met and interviewed Stuart Koe for my weekly gay multicultural radio program in Melbourne when he was here for the regional Out Games in 2007. An inspiring, enthusiastic, and committed gentleman who was keen to open up avenues and opportunities, creat awareness, and assist coming out, for the broader GLBTI community accross Asia.
Best wishes for your future activities, Stuart.
33. 2011-05-22 17:04  
I agree with ozgwm2000. Would it not have been more appropriate for Dr Koe to announce his own stepping down and his successor's appointment? Whatever the facts, the way this has been announced feels as though in fact a coup has taken place. While acknowledging that fridae is an international resource I think it is also true that it has played a very significant role in advance the cause of LGBT equality in Singapore. It would be a great shame imho if this were somehow to diminish or be lost sight of as a result of these changes (or if these changes themselves are the outcome of a drive to make the site less politcally aware and engaged).
34. 2011-05-22 18:41  
Stuart Koe made this site and did a very good job.
35. 2011-05-22 23:24  
LKY-inspired ?
36. 2011-05-23 00:35  
Thank you Stuart for being there for us when no one else dared to speak, for being out and proud.. for Pink Dot and Indignation ... I wish you and Abra all the best in whatever the future holds for you guys, knowing that you will always have my suport if you ever need it...
thanks for the memories...
hugs
Lex
37. 2011-05-23 01:35  
good luck n be well
38. 2011-05-23 03:45  
I met my partner through Fridae
Thanks for making this site - I will always be indebted to you.
Wish you luck with whatever you are involved with for the future.
Rob
39. 2011-05-23 04:18  
boooo I haven't got my free Perks yet :|
40. 2011-05-23 04:42  
Uh, mobile versions? If in need for an Android developer, I can do ;) Reference project: RomeoLive
41. 2011-05-23 09:14  
I join the heartfelt congratulations to Stuart Koe (and the rest of the fridae team) for what has been achieved over the last ten years or so. Fridae has made a major contribution - I mean a MAJOR contribution - to the development of the GLBTQ communities in Asia. Outside of fridae, Stuart has himself devoted years of his life to the advancement of GLBTQ rights around Asia, particularly in Singapore. Although it might be difficult for many to discern, a lot of the respect that I feel the community now has from government in Singapore (yes, I have seen that respect) is due to Stuart. His quiet but persistent, intelligent work deserves our warmest regards. May Stuart have a long and happy life in his retirement from fridae - but hopefully he will stay involved in GLBTQ activism :)
42. 2011-05-23 20:19  
Thank you very much for the hard work that you & Fridae team have done & best wishes to you on your next endeavour.
43. 2011-05-24 01:03  
I know and learn alot of things particulary on LGBT issues affected asian, from fridae news.. Thanks Dr. Stuart leaderships and teams all this time that transform fridae into something more than just "profile" site.
Infomation ---> education ---> Knowledge --> EmPowerment

44. 2011-05-24 03:04  
Good luck on the changes.
Comment #45 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-05-25 11:03
46. 2011-05-24 18:30  
I believe S2 is a hero and may have just fallen on his sword to save Fridae's freedom of comment from possible "fix". He has done a huge amount for the community, and in time will do greater things. You can't keep a good man down.

post 45..lagunabro, you can change your pic and ID a million times but you can't hide your hatred.
47. 2011-05-25 00:09  
HI,
Please get the systems response time UP before doing any other thing. Members can skip content like the news stories or members can dive into those and skip the dating but whatever a member likes to do on the site waiting for page loads becomes annoying. I think many members don't use the site because of this problem. I have seen this single complaint sprinkled into almost every member comment board for several years NOW.
Comment edited on 2011-05-25 00:10:14
48. 2011-05-25 02:37  
#46 Kumanbro_oz: You are right, it's definitely the same snake...this time with a different head. :p
49. 2011-05-25 19:07  
Stu, thanks for everything. Wish you all the best. A pioneer gay porter that connected many in the region, without you and Fridae, many lifelong friendships would not have been possible. You and Fridae was indispensable to an entire generation of gay men in Singapore and the region. Thanks for organizing all those amazing parties, especially Nation, Squirt, Snowball. Geez, my very first parties were all yours. You are an amazing, stand up guy with a great sense of humour. I can't even fathom Fridae without you. All the very best in your future plans and I'll stay tune to what you are gonna do next.
50. 2011-05-26 08:37  
Congratulations! Fridae is a wonderful site and I look forward to version 7. As an older gay man who has lived through a time of oppression, I commend you for the work you've done to promote equality, dignity and pride.
Cheers
51. 2011-05-27 18:25  
Stuart - you are a most dynamic and capable leader. Me and the guys at PT Foundation in KL will surely miss your assistance and guidance. Your enthusiasm and devotion to the LGBT community and HIV prevention, care and support work in Asia is exemplary. We will surely miss you. Congrats to Terry Battersby, and we hope that you will bring Fridae to even greater heights!
52. 2011-05-31 16:03  
This message has been deleted by the Fridae administrator. While Fridae encourages thoughtful alternative perspectives to the article and issues discussed, please be respectful of others by writing intelligibly. Comments that are incoherent, lacking in reason, and/or contain personal attacks degrade the quality of the discussion will be appreciated by no one, and will be removed without notice. We seek your co-operation in keeping this space pleasant and enjoyable for all.
Comment edited on 2011-06-01 15:47:03
53. 2011-06-05 04:06  
不見得新管理層熟悉"同志圈"啊!
令人擔心.
54. 2011-06-05 17:37  
its the new Fridae censorship, time to set up a new and more interesting, fun website guys for the younger generation! its a new skunk work project!
55. 2011-06-05 17:38  
its the new Fridae censorship, time to set up a new and more interesting, fun website guys for the younger generation! its a new skunk work project!
56. 2011-11-15 10:22  
I've read both statements by the current board/owners of Fridae and by Mr. Stuart Koe. It is sad to know that it has to end like this. People work hard for this project with the purpose of helping GBLT community, at the end, Stuart got absolutely nothing. Sad ... SAD ... S A D.

For the current board, if you don't improve for the betterment of Fridae.Asia to the next level, you will surely see the results in due time. We need someone with the Asian-cultural feel on this website. If it is just gonna be like gay.com (look what happened), it becomes passé.

If Fridae will be just like Manhunt, Gaydar, Adam4Adam, PlanetRomeo, Squirt.Org, Dudenudes, Silverdaddies, M4M-world, manjam and recon, then, might I might as well stay there. I chose Fridae due to its "ASIAN" content. If this "ASIAN" factor starts to change, then you will surely lose huge clientele that will just go to one of the above for just as good with impeccable service.

Looking forward to the improvement of Fridae under a good leadership. We will be watching...

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