BritCham Singapore

In this special episode of our podcast celebrating International Women’s Month, Charlotte Wilkinson of the British Chamber of Commerce Diversity and Inclusion Committee speaks with Pushkaraj Gumaste, Head Of Corporate Banking For Asia Pacific & Middle East, and Executive Sponsor For Barclays APAC Gender Agenda; and Aditi Nair, Managing Director Head Of HR, Asia Pacific, and Global HR Business Partner, Sustainable Finance, both from Barclays Bank Plc. The discussion explores how diversity, equity and inclusion can be built in organisations and how it can become a competitive advantage.

Pushkaraj and Aditi share how Barclays’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender representation has grown over the years. Barclays has been increasing their female representation in leadership roles and providing avenues for women to have successful careers after returning from breaks. One example is through Launchpad - a platform that women across the organisation can access to plan and enable their careers in a structured manner.

The conversation covers the challenges around gender equality and equity programmes in businesses, and the importance of having people take personal accountability for driving inclusion and diversity. The duo also touched on the importance of staying the course in DEI initiatives, not expecting immediate results and the power of employee resource groups in building equality and equity.

These networks build community, solidarity and momentum in bringing about sustainable change within organisations.

The episode culminates with practical wisdom and steps that organisations of all sizes can apply to begin addressing DEI and gender equity.

In this episode of our Podcast, Kate Wheble of the British Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Committee, speaks with Yuki Yasui, Managing Director of GFANZ Asia Pacific Network. The discussion presents a thought-provoking exploration of how sustainable finance can be a powerful force for positive change in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges on a global scale.

Yuki shares her personal journey into sustainable finance, tracing back to her early involvement with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and highlights pivotal moments such as the launch of the Equator Principles and the Principles for Responsible Investment.

The dialogue extends to recent global developments, with a particular focus on the outcomes of COP26 and COP28. Yuki underscores the critical importance of sustainable finance in driving forward the global climate agenda, emphasising the need for concerted efforts from governments, multinationals, and financial institutions alike.

Furthermore, Yuki articulates the imperative for clear definitions and robust transition planning in sustainable finance. She advocates for common understanding and alignment on financing strategies, particularly in the transition from "brown" to "green" economies, to mitigate risks such as greenwashing and ensure genuine impact.

Throughout the conversation, Yuki's insights underscore the pivotal role of finance in catalysing sustainability efforts, shaping policies, and fostering collaboration across sectors.

In this episode of our podcast, Mike Rourke, Head of Product at GSG, speaks with Nawaz Imam, Group Head of Corporate Development at MoneyHero Group, discussing the growth of FinTech in Asia.
Sharing insights into Money Hero Group’s journey to make personal finance decisions rewarding and timesaving for the five markets they operate in across greater Southeast Asia – Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the conversation explores the strategic planning behind Money Hero’s growth – highlighting some of the key challenges of adapting to varying levels of financial literacy within the markets they operate in, achieving standardisation across these diverse markets and the importance of operational efficiency.
The conversation also spotlights his personal journey from the institutional finance world to becoming a FinTech entrepreneur – delving into the challenges and successes faced in building a FinTech startup in Asia. Emphasising the understanding market dynamics and having a clear commercial strategy, he shares key lessons from his experiences and touches on resilience in entrepreneurship – encouraging individuals to embrace the learnings that come with the journey.

In this insightful podcast, Nick Magnus, Head of Dulwich College (Singapore), speaks with Sophie Hughes, Head of Business Development at Lightfoot Travel, as she provides valuable insights into the post-pandemic travel landscape in Singapore. The discussion covers evolving travel trends, emphasising the shift towards personalised itineraries and immersive experiences while underscoring the advantages of using tour operators for stress-free planning.

Through the conversation, they delve into changing dynamics in family holidays, highlighting the demand for active and educational experiences, especially for children - bringing to light the increasing popularity of the digital detox holiday. Looking ahead, she anticipates a growing trend of exploring less-visited destinations.

In this episode of our podcast series, Bridging the Sustainability Gap, Brendan May, Chairman and Founder of Robertsbridge, speaks with Lorena Paglia, Data and AI Global Business Programs and Operations Lead and Sustainability Ambassador at Microsoft and Member of the Board at the British Chamber of Commerce - exploring the challenges and nuance of sustainability development, how the industry has transformed over the years and the opportunities we have before us.

A pioneer in strategic sustainability, Brendan founded his own sustainability consultancy Robertsbridge in 2010, employing some of the most prominent environmental thinkers of our time. As a team, they drive real transformative change in sustainable development with their customers, often not shying away from challenging and complex multi-stakeholder work.

Our podcast series, Bridging the Sustainability Gap, is focused on businesses and individuals who are making a difference in driving impact across sustainability development and industry transition.

The intent of this series is to celebrate work that is in progress, be open about the challenges that exist and take our listeners on a learning journey on what more can be done to Bridge the Sustainability Gap. 

In this podcast episode, our Executive Director, David Kelly, speaks with the Headmaster of Caterham School, Ceri Jones, discussing the importance of British education and exploring factors as to why it continues to be so highly regarded even as educational landscapes and needs have been subject to change over the years.

Through the conversation, Ceri highlights the need for students to develop a diverse toolkit of skills, including emotional self-regulation and adaptability, in addition to pursuing academic excellence. He also emphasises the role of well-being in students' success and the importance of creating inclusive school environments that allow for students to be their true selves and thrive - lending insights to some of the initiatives at Caterham School that have been set in place to foster global citizens that are equipped with the skills to adapt in an everchanging, rapidly globalising world.

The conversation explores the continued excellence of British education throughout the years, spotlighting its ability to adapt to changing needs and technologies, while focusing on building emotional intelligence and resilience, bringing to light the role of schools in preparing students for a rapidly changing world and the diverse pathways available to them after their education, including university, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship. 

Looking into the future, the discussion delves into the landscape for students as they progress through tertiary education, touching on the significance of emotional well-being in both education and the workplace and the role of businesses in supporting students in their transition to the workforce.

In this episode of our podcast series, Bridging the Sustainability Gap, we explore the topic of green finance, putting a lens on the role financial institutions play in enabling business to meet their sustainability goals and effectively mitigate climate change. Going beyond just the green, we take the conversation further, diving into the importance of addressing the blue economy as well when thinking about building a robust climate strategy.

Søren Nikolajsen, CEO of NatWest Asia Pacific, speaks with Lorena Paglia of our Sustainability Committee – taking listeners through some of NatWest’s climate initiatives and priorities in sustainable development around the carbon market, he shares with us the role he played in driving leadership with the organisations sustainability strategy and spotlights the opportunities that can come with investing sustainable business practices. Through the conversation, he also lends his insights on the significance of blue bonds and what they entail, bringing to focus the blue economy’s role in leading successful climate change action.

In this episode of our podcast, we explore the multifaceted topic of leadership and workplace culture – delving into the extent leaders play in shaping, creating and influencing environments, behaviour's and attitudes within organisations.

Elizabeth Bradford, Managing Director for Wholesale Banking at HSBC draws from her wealth of experience leading global teams as she speaks with Ashish Trivedi of our Leadership and Talent Development Committee, sharing her tips and strategies for cultivating positive, conducive and inclusive workplace culture. Bringing real world experiences into the conversation, she highlights some of the common challenges facing leaders today, lending insights on how to navigate through the shifts happening in today’s organisational culture.

In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the crucial topic of staying safe while navigating the vast digital realm. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it is increasingly essential to equip ourselves with practical tips and knowledge to ensure the safety of ourselves and loved ones. Ian Stevenson, CEO and Co-founder of Cyacomb shares with us more about technology safety online with Daisy Radford of the ICT Committee, and gave his knowledge regarding the dark web, the impact on one's psychological health especially in children if we are not careful and steps on building awareness to see the warning signs.

Our Executive Director, David Kelly had the opportunity to interview Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State (Indo-Pacific) for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office during her visit to Singapore.

She shared in detail regarding her role in the region and what are the plans surrounding opportunities between UK and Singapore.

The in-depth conversation shed some light on sustainability, tech and building relations with countries within the region.

A chartered accountant by trade, Anne-Marie sat on the House of Commons’ Public Accounts Committee from July 2015 to May 2017 and December 2018 to July 2019. She has previously served as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence. As an MP, she has campaigned with colleagues for greater autism awareness and has focused on the Armed Forces Covenant.

Welcome to our second episode of The Customer Experience Series where we explore how to bring behavioural science into your customer experience. In this episode, Nicki Houghton continues to deep dive into the benefits of implementing behavioural sciences into our daily lives from work, businesses and how we even interact with others on face to face level.

An example Richard Chataway gave is a concept called, The Paradox of Choice, which is that if we're given too many options to choose from, and an abundance of choice in terms of providers and services that we can use. We find that overwhelming as people often face choice paralysis. So, we don't make a decision because we have too many options and we can't possibly decide what the best one is. And if we observe carefully at online streaming platforms and even e-commerce sites, these recommendation engines are a part of utilising behavioural sciences for your business which boosts the customer experience.

Welcome to our first episode of The Customer Experience Series where we explore how to bring behavioural science into your customer experience. In this episode, our speakers from GoBeyond speak to Nicki Houghton on how businesses have started to apply behavioural science principles to customer experience in order to improve their services and products.

During their discussion, it was noted how businesses can apply behavioural science to customer experience through multiple methods that influences one's decisions. One such example was the use of nudges which are subtle cues which encourages an individual to make a certain decision. Research has shown that customer behaviour can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as social norms, emotions, cognitive biases, and environmental cues. By understanding these factors, businesses can design their customer experience to encourage positive behaviours and improve customer satisfaction.

In  the rush for the digitalisation in the financial services and regulation sector, customers are gaining a higher level of convenience and processes in their systems. However, with the rise of convenience, an almost parental state is emerging in which businesses are increasingly asked to safeguard and look after individuals. 

Welcome to our first podcast of 2023 and another episode of our Journey to Sustainable Finance series where we discuss key aspects in environmental finance, social finance, and governance (ESG). Joost Bilkes, Head of Impact Advisory Services, Credit Suisse and our host, Oriana Brine of the British Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Committee, join us in this episode.

Welcome to the final episode of our Journey to Sustainable Finance series and the final podcast of 2022, in which we discuss key aspects in environmental finance, social finance, and governance (ESG). Eric Lim, CSO, UOB Bank, and our host, Oriana Brine of the British Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Committee, join us in this episode.

Welcome to the second episode of our Journey to Sustainable Finance series, in which we address significant issues in the field of environmental finance, social and governance (ESG). In this episode, we're joined by Vi Nguyen, Principal Sustainability Strategist, Forum for the Future, and our host, Oriana Brine of the British Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Committee.

Welcome to our new Journey to Sustainable Finance series, in which we address significant issues in the field of environmental finance, social and governance (ESG). In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Darian McBain, CSO of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and our host, Oriana Brine of the British Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Committee.

In conjunction with Mental health week, our Executive Director, David Kelly sits down with our Healthcare & Life Sciences Chair and Committee member, Sigal Atzmon, from Medix Global and John Ntatsopoulos from Expat Insurance.

Our speakers discuss on the perception of mental healthcare and how the insurance and medical field can further improve awareness and address the stigma around it.

In our latest In Conversation episode, Alvin Tan, Assistant CEO of the Industry Cluster Group for JTC, discusses the upcoming developments and foreseeable future for Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District with our Executive Director, David Kelly. 

Cybersecurity is the protection of internet-connected systems such as hardware, software and data from cyberthreats. The practice is used by individuals and enterprises to protect against unauthorized access to data centers and other computerized systems.

Giles Henman Chartered MCSI, Senior Partner & Head of Business, Asia, Eight Wealth International is joined by Kelly Greig Eight International Tax & Legacy Experts who shares with us more about tax. As the world of finance becomes more complex, with growing different perspectives, Kelly and Giles answer the question that many people want to know but are afraid to ask.

The world is changing, with old capitals declining and new hotspots emerging. We asked industry leaders from the sustainable and financial sectors what the present situation is for the world of green finance. In this episode of the Britcham Singapore podcast, Max Thomas from HSBC, Yoonme Jeong from OCBC, and Dominic Gregory from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP London talk to our Built Environment committee host, Amara Buyse.

The world is changing, with old capitals declining and new hotspots emerging. So we asked industry leaders from the sustainable and financial sectors what the present situation is for the world of green finance. Max Thomas from HSBC, Yoonme Jeong from OCBC, and Dominic Gregory from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP London tells our Built Environment committee host, Amara Buyse, more.

Cyber security and protection is a hot topic right now among market players, analysts, and investors. In this episode, we consider how threats to endpoint security cause volatility and attempt to gauge what challenges – and opportunities – such dynamics can offer.

Damian Adams, our recently elected President for the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore, will be sharing with us about how the chamber has grown over the years and the great opportunities that are in store for our members and businesses.

In this special Diversity in Practice podcast, we are delighted to have Dr Sarah Meisch Lionetto, Director of Arts, British Council and Jeremy Goldstein, creator of The Truth to Power Café who shares with us more on a special digital theatre project called "This Is Who I Am".

"This Is Who I Am" an art project of autobiographic monologues by disabled artists from Singapore and the UK to raise awareness and foster access and inclusion. Jeremy Goldstein felt that stories by underrepresented disabled artists from Singapore in the United Kingdom might go unheard and unacknowledged. Therefore, this project aims to be a platform for the underrepresented to voice out and share their stories. As a result, the goals of this digital theater project are to promote awareness and generate understanding. In this way, we may perhaps transform conceptions of disability and build more inclusive cultures. So, while this work focuses on disability, its underlying values extend well beyond disability to all oppressed groups. And, as the project's title suggests, it invites us all to consider who we are, how we see, and how we view others.

Commissioned and presented by British Council Singapore

Created by Jeremy Goldstein (London Artists Projects)

In this podcast, Dr. Mark Wenzel superintendent of Stamford American International School shares his extraordinary journey as an educator. He goes on to explain how the pandemic has disrupted the education system and how educators have swiftly learned to adapt and overcome the problems.

In this podcast, Dr Ong Chen Hui, Cluster Director for the Biztech Group at the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) explains 5G technology to Daisy Radford of the ICT Committee, and shares how it has improved the lives of its users and consumers.

After a varied expatriate career, taking him to East Africa and China, Nick Magnus, the founding Head of College at Dulwich College (Singapore) has spent over a decade in Singapore leading one of the country’s most respected International Schools. He talks in-depth with Anil Scott of Select Investors Singapore, offering an inside perspective of an expatriate life while touching on some of the universal aspects of successful leadership, together with meeting the personal and professional challenges of a life overseas.

In this podcast, brought to you by Select Investors Singapore you will hear about Nick’s firsthand experience of:

• Changing lives through the importance of ‘Passion and purpose’. What can happen when what you do is more than simply a career
• Setting up and establishing a fully operational organisation from scratch, and nurturing it from concept to fruition and success
• The importance of clear strategic focus in education, delivering on objectives and sticking to your vision

Welcome to the second episode of Finance 101!

This week, we'll be delving into the geopolitical challenges that businesses are now facing, as well as the emerging topic of sustainability and corporate leadership.

We are joined by two seasoned professionals who are simplifying the world of finance and engaging businesses all across the world. Giles Henman and Ian Riggs from Eight Wealth International!

Giles Henman and Ian Riggs will share their perspectives and experiences in the financial industry, as well as touch on topical subjects such as company sustainability in this era.

Welcome to our second International Women's Day episode!

In this episode, Paul friend, Principal at North London Collegiate School in Singapore and a member of the British chambers, Women in Business Committee invites five female students to share a message on behalf of their generation. The students share about what issues they feel are important for them and thoughts on what they have to say regarding the current affairs as a woman in this era.

ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ACTIVITIES:

The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore has been leading on diversity, inclusion and equality since 2014, with a flagship IWD event held each year in partnership with our title sponsor, Barclays. This year we are hosting a combination of three activities - an International Women's Day Lunch with a senior leader in the banking industry, this special podcast episode, and a virtual panel discussion on the four barriers to breaking down biases, taking place on the 10th March.

Welcome to our special International Women's Day episode!

Daisy Radford, Head of Operations and Delivery APAC at BAE Systems, chats with industry leaders within the technology landscape as they share their insights and advice on areas such as the cloud, 5G and Femtech

In this episode, we hear from Yan Li, Professor of Digital Transformation Department of Information Systems, Decision Science and Statistics ESSEC Business School Asia Pacific. Yan Li discusses the journey of being a woman in Femtech, and what steps the sector should be taking to ensure the next generation of leaders is truly representative. How do you get the best and brightest young women into the industry?

ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ACTIVITIES:

The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore has been leading on diversity, inclusion and equality since 2014, with a flagship IWD event held each year in partnership with our title sponsor, Barclays. This year we are hosting a combination of three activities - an International Women's Day Lunch with a senior leader in the banking industry, this special podcast episode, and a virtual panel discussion on the four barriers to breaking down biases, taking place on the 10th March.