Feminine flair is proving to be a powerful force at the Singapore office of the world's biggest computer company, IBM - it has just named another woman to succeed its current boss, Ms Janet Ang.

Leaving for a post in China, Ms Ang (left) will be succeeded here by Ms Yim, who joined the company in 1985.

It is very rare to find two women in a row being named managing directors of technology companies in Singapore.

But Ms Ang, 43, and her successor, Ms Patricia Yim, 40, take this a step further.

Both are mothers of four children - which must be one for the record books.

Ms Ang, who became the face of IBM Singapore after taking up her post about three years ago, is moving on to the role of vice-president of personal computing for Greater China.

Ms Yim moves up from her job as director of global small and medium business for IBM in Asean and South Asia.

The two high-flying women share other striking similarities besides carving out busy, successful careers while combining marriage and multiple motherhood.

Both Singaporeans, they went to the same primary and secondary schools - Convent of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Joseph's Convent.

Ms Ang then attended Catholic Junior College and Ms Yim went to National JC. Both attended the National University of Singapore and graduated with business administration degrees.

Both also started their careers in IBM and worked their way up the ranks.

Ms Ang joined IBM in 1982 as a systems engineer. She made headlines in April 2001 when she became the first woman to head IBM here.

As vice-president of personal computing for IBM Greater China, she will be based in Beijing. She will oversee IBM's personal computing division in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Ms Yim joined IBM in 1985 as a sales and distribution trainee. She has since worked in IBM's sales and marketing, software and small and medium business divisions.

She has held her current post since January last year.

And there's yet another similarity between the two.

Mr Satish Khatu, general manager of IBM in Asean and South Asia, said that both women have contributed significantly to IBM's success in their careers.

'They have a solid foundation in the IBM business; their passion and business acumen will certainly go a long way in building the existing business in their respective areas of responsibility,' he said.

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