Industry News

M&G Investments has announced the appointment of Ruth Poh as Head of Compliance for Asia Pacific, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Poh will report to Tim Page, Chief Compliance Officer for M&G Investments. Her role will involve overseeing regulatory and compliance risks, as well as providing advisory oversight to support the firm’s expanding investment and client activities in the region.

With over two decades of experience in compliance and operational risk, Poh previously served as Head of Compliance & Operational Risk Control at UBS Asset Management. She also chairs the Regulatory Committee at the Investment Management Association of Singapore. Her extensive background is expected to bolster M&G’s compliance leadership as the company continues its international growth, with a significant focus on Asia Pacific.

Tim Page commented, “Ruth’s appointment strengthens our compliance leadership in Asia Pacific to support M&G’s growth internationally and operations across multiple regulatory environments.” Amy Cho, Head of Asia Pacific at M&G, added, “Ruth’s deep regional experience and understanding of asset management will be instrumental as we accelerate our growth.”

Poh expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am delighted to join M&G at an important time for the business in Asia Pacific. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the firm to provide clear, pragmatic oversight and support the continued development of M&G’s activities across the region.”

M&G’s focus on Asia Pacific is part of its broader strategy to expand its international presence, with clients outside the UK now accounting for nearly 60% of its third-party assets under management.

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has appointed Yann Maixandeau as Managing Director for East Asia. Based in Singapore, Maixandeau will oversee operations and business performance across eight markets, including Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

With nearly 20 years at Alstom, Maixandeau brings extensive international leadership experience in strategy, operations, finance, and project management. His previous roles have spanned Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Africa, France, and Brazil. Most recently, he served as Managing Director for Singapore and Malaysia.

Alstom, employing over 1,600 people across the region, has been a significant player in East Asia’s rail sector for more than four decades. The company is involved in various transformative projects, such as Bangkok’s Pink and Yellow monorail lines, Taipei’s Wanda-Zhonghe-Shulin and Circular lines, Hanoi Metro Line 3, and Manila Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension. Additionally, Alstom is delivering major strategic projects like the North-South Commuter Railway Extension in the Philippines and signalling systems for Singapore’s Circle Line.

“East Asia is one of the key growth engines for sustainable mobility worldwide,” said Maixandeau. “With our longstanding presence and strong local partnerships, Alstom is well positioned to support this transformation.”

Alstom’s commitment to sustainable transportation is evident in its wide range of solutions, from high-speed trains to digital rail systems.

Global wealth manager St. James’s Place (SJP) has announced an expansion of its investment offerings across Asia and the Middle East with the introduction of its Flagship Portfolio Funds (FPFs) and access to the Morningstar Wealth Platform. This development aims to strengthen SJP’s investment proposition by offering a more integrated and flexible approach to wealth management.

The Flagship Portfolio Funds provide a centrally managed range of multi-asset funds, built on SJP’s Investment Management Approach. This approach combines asset allocation, manager selection, and portfolio construction into a single investment solution. The funds are designed to cater to different risk profiles and offer a curated selection of leading global fund managers, typically unavailable to individual investors. These funds are available in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE, reflecting local market requirements whilst maintaining diversified exposure across various asset classes, sectors, and regions.

Angelina Lai, Chief Investment Officer for Asia and the Middle East at SJP, stated, “Investors today face increasingly complex and uncertain markets. Our Flagship Portfolio Funds are designed to provide a clear and consistent approach to investing, supported by ongoing research, analysis, and regular investment insights from our investment team.”

In addition to the FPFs, the Morningstar Wealth Platform will be accessible across Asia and the Middle East. This platform enhances the flexibility available to advisers, allowing them to work with clients who have more complex requirements. It complements the FPFs by providing access to a broader range of approved investments, supporting more tailored client needs.

Together, these offerings broaden the range of investment solutions available to clients and advisers, providing greater choice and access to professionally managed investment strategies.

Igloo, a leading insurtech company in Southeast Asia, has announced the acquisition of Eazy Digital, a Singapore-based insurtech firm with operations in Thailand and Asia. This strategic move will see Eazy Digital’s client base and Thai team integrated into Igloo, with Eazy Digital’s founder, Harprem Doowa, assuming the role of Country Head of Igloo Thailand and Head of Tech Solutions APAC.

This acquisition marks Igloo’s second significant transaction in Thailand within a year, following a joint venture with JMT Network Services in 2025 to establish Thailand’s first digital insurer. The acquisition underscores Igloo’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Thailand, a priority growth market, and enhancing its insurance operating system to meet the region’s demand for scalable, tech-driven solutions.

Igloo operates across six Southeast Asian markets, processing over 100 million policies monthly through partnerships with more than 100 partners, including Chubb and MSIG. The company has raised over $100m to support its AI-native operating system, which facilitates the digitalisation and distribution of insurance products.

Eazy Digital, recognised as the Most Disruptive InsurTech in Thailand in 2024 and 2025, complements Igloo’s offerings by helping insurers digitise operations and improve sales productivity. The acquisition aims to address Thailand’s insurance sector’s protection gap by enabling faster product launches and broader distribution.

Raunak Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo, stated, “Acquiring Eazy Digital gives partners across Asia immediate access to the full Igloo stack, and gives us the local presence, team, and leadership to serve this market at scale.” Harprem Doowa added, “This is an opportunity for Eazy to amplify our platform’s success with Igloo’s resources and reach.”

Gordian Capital, Asia’s first and largest institutional cross-border fund platform, has rebranded to IQ-EQ, enhancing its service offerings across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East regions. This strategic move aims to streamline access to IQ-EQ’s extensive investor services and specialist support, now spanning 25 jurisdictions including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Dubai.

The rebrand integrates Gordian Capital’s capabilities with IQ-EQ’s global platform, offering clients a more cohesive service experience whilst maintaining local service delivery. Mark Voumard, Managing Director and Head of Fund Platform and Solutions for Asia and the Middle East at IQ-EQ, stated, “Rebranding Gordian to IQ-EQ allows us to go to market under one brand and present a strong, united team with significant depth and breadth of expertise globally.”

Since its inception in 2005, Gordian Capital has launched over 115 funds and currently manages $22b across various strategies, including private equity, real estate, and venture capital. The rebrand follows the company’s recent regulatory approval to establish operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre, further solidifying IQ-EQ’s presence in the region.

This development is part of IQ-EQ’s broader global growth strategy, aiming to enhance its fund structuring and operational capabilities. The rebrand promises new opportunities for clients and employees alike, as IQ-EQ continues to commit to delivering service excellence under its unified brand.

AirAsia MOVE, Asia’s leading travel booking app, has announced the addition of four new direct airline partners in the second quarter of 2026. The new partnerships with Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines aim to enhance travel options across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and China, providing travellers with greater choice and seamless access to emerging destinations.

The expansion reflects growing confidence in AirAsia MOVE as a preferred distribution channel for airlines seeking to tap into the region’s rapidly growing traveller base. The platform continues to expand its flights inventory, catering to both full-service and low-cost carriers.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, commented on the development, stating, “Travel across Asean is evolving rapidly, with travellers demanding greater choice and seamless control all on one platform. As a flights-first OTA, expanding our network offering is core to our mission. Securing the trust of major carriers like Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines, particularly amidst ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and volatility, is a powerful testament to the commercial strength of the MOVE ecosystem and the regional reach we deliver to our partners.”

This strategic move by AirAsia MOVE not only strengthens its position in the travel booking market but also underscores its commitment to providing comprehensive travel solutions to its users. As the platform continues to grow, it is expected to further enhance its offerings, providing even more options for travellers in the future.

Hilton has announced that it has exceeded several of its 2030 sustainability targets ahead of schedule, as detailed in its 2025 Travel with Purpose Report. The report highlights a 50.9% reduction in carbon emissions intensity at managed hotels and a 36% reduction at franchised hotels. Additionally, Hilton achieved a 64.7% reduction in landfill waste intensity, surpassing its 2030 goal.

The report also notes a 37.1% reduction in water intensity and the creation of nearly 700,000 learning and career growth opportunities in 2025. More than 2.5 million community members have been positively impacted globally, with Hilton team members contributing 1.8 million volunteer hours.

Hilton’s sustainability efforts are evident across the Asia Pacific region. Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s food waste reduction initiatives have cut post-consumer plate waste by nearly 50%. Conrad Koh Samui’s farm-to-table programme supplies up to 70% of the resort’s produce seasonally, whilst Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts sources close to 80% of its produce locally through partnerships with over 30 local farmers.

These achievements underscore Hilton’s commitment to embedding sustainability into hotel operations, investing in career development, and strengthening community resilience worldwide. The full report is available for those interested in further details on Hilton’s environmental and social impact efforts.
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Maybank has announced a strategic partnership with Evooq to launch an AI-powered advisory platform, Advisor Assist, aimed at bolstering its wealth management services across Southeast Asia. This collaboration seeks to integrate advanced technology with human expertise to provide personalised and insightful financial advice to clients.

Advisor Assist, developed on Evooq’s technology, will equip Maybank’s relationship managers with intelligent insights, portfolio risk analytics, and next-best-action recommendations. This will enable them to better understand client needs, identify opportunities, and engage in more meaningful conversations. Alice Tan, Head of Group Wealth Management at Maybank, stated, “Through our partnership with Evooq, we are enhancing our ability to serve our clients across the region with more personalised advice and helping them better understand and manage the risks within their portfolios.”

Evooq’s platform will offer a unified view of client portfolios and investment opportunities, supporting Maybank’s wealth management teams across key markets. Gery Dachlan, Managing Director of Evooq, remarked, “This partnership not only reflects the strength of our platform but also reinforces our commitment to support leading financial institutions in the region as they accelerate their digital transformation.”

This initiative underscores Maybank’s ambition to lead in wealth management within Southeast Asia, aligning with its strategy to humanise financial services. Evooq, meanwhile, continues to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific, delivering scalable, AI-driven solutions for modern investors.

Meta has unveiled its Small Business Growth Academy across Asia-Pacific, a programme designed to help small businesses scale using AI-enabled tools. The initiative will initially roll out in 12 markets, including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Singapore, and Australia, offering a blend of in-person workshops, learning modules, and partner-led training.

The programme is a collaborative effort with governments, chambers of commerce, and industry organisations, tailored to meet local market needs. In Thailand, for instance, Meta is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide free training to over 5,000 farmers, focusing on building an online presence and leveraging AI tools for growth.

Research by Deloitte highlights the potential of AI in the region, with 78% of small and medium businesses already using at least one AI tool. The academy aims to bridge the gap between interest and adoption, providing businesses with the confidence and skills to utilise these tools effectively.

Beth Ann Eliason-Lim, Director Public Policy Strategy APAC at Meta, stated, “Our AI-powered Business Agents allow businesses to respond to customers instantly across Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, providing always-on support without needing to scale their teams.”

The programme will focus on empowering small businesses to connect with customers, adopt AI tools, and engage in public-private partnerships. Training will cover generating leads, optimising campaigns, and using Meta’s platforms to enhance business strategies.

The Small Business Growth Academy is part of Meta’s ongoing commitment to support small businesses in APAC, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with the digital skills necessary to thrive in the evolving digital economy.

Dataiku has partnered with the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) to revolutionise disaster response and public health preparedness across Southeast Asia using artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration, part of Dataiku’s AI-for-Good Programme, provides SRC with free access to Dataiku’s AI platform, enabling the automation of previously manual disaster surveillance processes.

The AI platform has transformed SRC’s approach by improving the speed, accuracy, and quality of data collection and analysis. This shift allows for the integration of additional contextual data, such as climate trends, enhancing the organisation’s ability to anticipate and respond to disasters more effectively.

Andrew Boyd, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Dataiku, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “When AI is placed in the hands of teams on the ground, it becomes a force multiplier—enabling faster decisions, better coordination, and ultimately more resilient communities.”

In addition to disaster monitoring, the partnership has enabled SRC to forecast leptospirosis outbreaks in Thailand more accurately. By applying machine learning models to weather and environmental data, SRC can better predict outbreaks and implement early intervention measures, improving resource planning for vulnerable communities.

Charlotte Lambert, Head of Dataiku’s AI-for-Good Programme, emphasised the broader impact: “AI-for-Good isn’t about applying technology to isolated use cases—it’s about fundamentally changing how impact is delivered at scale.”

This collaboration exemplifies how AI can empower humanitarian organisations to act swiftly and precisely, ultimately protecting more lives. As Dataiku continues to support NGOs globally, this model could pave the way for enhanced humanitarian efforts worldwide.