Industry News

Global talent solutions firm Robert Walters has announced significant leadership changes, appointing Kirsty Poltock as the new Country Manager for Singapore. Poltock, who has been with the company for nearly a decade, will lead the local team, focusing on strengthening client relationships and delivering innovative recruitment solutions. Her extensive experience in both permanent and contract recruitment solutions positions her well to navigate Singapore’s dynamic recruitment landscape.

In addition to Poltock’s appointment, Robert Walters Outsourcing has named Jenny Fulton as Managing Director for Asia Pacific. Fulton, who joined the company in 2016, will oversee the outsourcing operations and growth in the region. Her expertise in recruitment process outsourcing and non-permanent volume hiring will be instrumental in shaping workforce strategies across Asia Pacific. “It is an absolute privilege to lead our excellent Asia Pacific team towards our region’s strategic objectives,” Fulton stated.

Meanwhile, Hazel Lancashire has been appointed as Managing Director of Global Client Success at Robert Walters Outsourcing. With over 25 years in the recruitment and outsourcing industries, Lancashire will focus on delivering client satisfaction globally. Her previous roles have seen her successfully launch and develop key facets of the company’s global outsourcing business. “I’m delighted to be stepping back into a global role to build customer-centric solutions,” Lancashire commented.

These appointments align with Robert Walters’s vision of being the world’s most trusted talent solutions business, aiming to enhance their global service offerings and client partnerships. The firm continues to expand its operations, with 84% of its revenue now coming from non-UK businesses.
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Booking.com has released its 2025 Sustainability & Travel Report, revealing that 46% of Singapore-based travellers are increasingly conscious of the impact of tourism on both the environment and local communities. The report, launched on Earth Day, highlights a growing trend towards sustainable travel practices amongst Singaporeans, with 68% expressing a desire for their spending to benefit local economies and 67% aiming to leave destinations better than they found them.

The research, which surveyed 32,000 travellers across 34 countries, shows that whilst 49% of Singaporeans believe tourism positively impacts their home, concerns about overcrowding, rising living costs, traffic, and noise pollution persist. Despite these issues, only 22% support capping visitor numbers, preferring investment in infrastructure to support sustainable tourism growth.

Danielle D’Silva, Director of Sustainability at Booking.com, emphasised the need for tourism, infrastructure, and innovation to align with travellers’ intentions. “We want to make it easier for both travellers and partners to feel confident that the choices they make are helping contribute positively to the destinations they visit,” she said.

The report also notes that sustainable habits, such as using reusable water bottles and travelling off-peak, are becoming mainstream amongst Singaporeans. As the travel industry looks to the future, there is optimism about the role of technology in connecting travellers with diverse local communities and spreading tourism’s benefits more broadly.
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Carousell Group has unveiled its latest Circular Economy Impact Report, revealing that secondhand shopping on its platforms potentially avoided 153,141 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023. This figure is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by 9 million trees annually. The report, released in conjunction with Earth Day, underscores the environmental benefits of choosing pre-owned items over new ones.

The report, developed with European climate tech company Vaayu, uses a Life Cycle Assessment approach to quantify emissions avoided through secondhand purchases. On average, each transaction on Carousell, Laku6, Mudah.my, and REFASH avoided 14kg of CO₂e, comparable to the production of 22 plastic bottles. Key categories contributing to these savings include Furniture & Home Living, Computers & Tech, and Mobile Phones.

Gaurav Bhasin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Carousell Group, stated, “Secondhand isn’t just a more affordable choice—it’s a climate solution. By refining our methodology, we want to highlight how meaningful each secondhand choice can be.”

Carousell Group continues to promote sustainable shopping through various initiatives, including AI-powered features and educational campaigns. These efforts aim to make eco-conscious decisions more accessible and impactful for users across Southeast Asia. The report’s findings highlight the potential of secondhand shopping to significantly reduce carbon footprints, supporting a growing culture of sustainability. For more details, the full report is available on Carousell’s website.
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Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has been named the official partner of the Singapore HeritageFest 2025, marking the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. In collaboration with the National Heritage Board, the festival will highlight Singapore’s intangible cultural heritage, including traditional crafts and food practices. Yeo’s will introduce the Yeo’s Singaporean Starter Kit, a tingkat-inspired media kit featuring nostalgic snacks, childhood games, and Yeo’s beverages.

The festival, running from 1 to 31 May 2025 at Homeground Village in Gardens by the Bay, will offer visitors a chance to win one of these exclusive kits through a giveaway contest. Alex Chen, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Yeo’s Singapore, stated, “Just as a tingkat reveals a complete meal layer by layer, the Yeo’s Singaporean Starter Kit unveils the classic ingredients of our shared identity.”

Visitors can also enjoy Yeo’s special edition SG60 Orchid Chrysanthemum Tea, available at an Asian drinks stall every weekend in May. This limited-edition beverage will be redeemable at selected museums and National Day celebrations until August and available for purchase in 250ML packs from June.

The initiative is part of Yeo’s SG60 campaign, celebrating the everyday objects, flavours, and practices that form Singapore’s vibrant cultural tapestry. For more information and the full festival line-up, visit the Singapore HeritageFest website.
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Logicalis, a global IT solutions and managed services provider, has announced the launch of Cisco Extended Detection and Response (XDR) as a Global Managed Service (MXDR) in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

This makes Logicalis the first Cisco partner in APAC to offer this service, which will be available to customers in Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong. The launch addresses the region’s critical security challenges amidst rising cyber threats, with 91% of organisations in the Logicalis APAC CIO report having experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past year.

The Cisco XDR solution provides a comprehensive approach to counter advanced cyberattacks through a unified security incident platform. It integrates with multiple security toolsets, enhancing existing endpoint protection for organisations. Logicalis delivers this service through its 24/7 APAC Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Malaysia, supported by its global network of SOCs across EMEA and the Americas.

Lee Chong-Win, CEO of Logicalis Asia Pacific, highlighted the growing demand for security services due to a skills gap, stating, “Security is the number one concern for our customers and we’re seeing a tidal wave of demand for services amidst a growing skills gap.” He added that Cisco XDR offers the AI-driven automation needed by customers, combined with Logicalis’s global threat intelligence.

Dave West, President of Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China, remarked, “Together with Logicalis, Cisco is helping customers transform their security operations to be more responsive, intelligent, and aligned to business outcomes.”

Logicalis’s Cisco XDR as a Managed Service is currently being validated as a global Cisco Powered Service, further establishing Logicalis as a preferred managed security partner. The Malaysian SOC serves as a regional hub, providing high levels of threat visibility and compliance, leveraging AI-driven automation and global threat intelligence to protect organisations from evolving cyber threats.
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CMC Invest Singapore has unveiled a new pricing structure, making its ‘Invest’ tier the default offering at no cost. This change, effective immediately, replaces the previous ‘Gold’ tier, providing users with 45 free trades per month across major markets, including Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong, the US, and the UK. Additionally, the foreign exchange settlement rate has been reduced to 0.20%, offering significant savings for international investors.

The decision follows positive feedback from a 12-month promotional campaign launched in April 2024, during which clients enjoyed complimentary access to the ‘Invest’ tier. Christopher Forbes, Head of Asia at CMC Singapore, stated, “Today’s investors expect both value and sophisticated tools. By making our ‘Invest’ tier the new standard, we’re giving clients access to cutting-edge capabilities without the premium price tag.”

Furthermore, CMC Invest’s premium ‘Platinum’ and ‘Diamond’ tiers have been enhanced to offer even lower FX rates and additional free trades. These tiers, available via subscription, cater to active investors seeking advanced trading advantages, providing greater flexibility and exclusive perks.

CMC Markets, established in 1989 and listed on the London Stock Exchange, operates in 13 countries, including Singapore, where it has been present since 2007. The company continues to focus on delivering value and advanced trading tools to its clients worldwide.
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Juspay, a global leader in payment infrastructure solutions, has inaugurated its new Asia Pacific hub in Singapore, marking a significant step in its international expansion. This move is designed to support the region’s burgeoning digital economy by offering streamlined payment solutions to enterprise merchants. Juspay, backed by investors such as SoftBank, Accel, and VEF, processes over 200 million transactions daily and aims to enhance its collaboration with partners like Agoda.

The Singapore office will enable Juspay to work closely with merchants to address unique challenges in the Asia Pacific market. Co-founder and COO of Juspay, Sheetal Lalwani, stated, “Our expansion into Singapore positions us at the heart of the dynamic Asia Pacific market, where we can work closely with merchants to tackle their unique challenges.”

Juspay’s offerings include services such as 1-click checkout, full-stack orchestration, and fraud solutions, which are crucial for enterprises looking to optimise transaction costs and improve authorisation rates. Nakul Kothari, Head of APAC & Middle East at Juspay, highlighted the importance of this expansion, noting, “Our expansion comes at a crucial moment as APAC’s digital payment landscape undergoes rapid transformation.”

The partnership with Agoda further solidifies Juspay’s presence in the region. Jibran Bugvi, Head of Fintech & Business Initiatives at Agoda, commented on the collaboration, emphasising the importance of maintaining efficient and reliable payment processes.

Juspay’s strategic move into Singapore is set to reshape the payment landscape in the Asia Pacific region, offering scalable and reliable payment infrastructure to enterprises.
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The Rare Skin Conditions Society of Singapore (RSCS) and DEBRA Singapore will host the “Skin and Kin” Gala on 2 May 2025, marking the launch of “The Skin We Wear,” a book that shares personal stories of individuals living with rare skin conditions. The event, held under the patronage of Singapore’s First Lady, Jane Yumiko Ittogi, aims to raise awareness and foster empathy for those affected.

The book, co-created by RSCS, features narratives and portraits that reveal the often-invisible battles faced by individuals with rare skin conditions. “The Skin We Wear is an apt and bold expression of dignity,” said Ittogi, emphasising the need for deeper understanding and empathy.

RSCS, founded to support individuals with rare genetic and chronic skin conditions, collaborates with medical professionals to improve diagnosis and care. DEBRA Singapore, part of a global network, focuses on Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a painful skin disorder. Both organisations advocate for inclusion and better healthcare.

Prof. Durreen Shahnaz, co-founder of RSCS, shared her personal connection: “As a mother of a child with Harlequin Ichthyosis, I know the anguish of watching your child struggle with a condition that few understand.” The book, she said, is a collective voice affirming the importance of belonging and visibility.

The gala will also honour healthcare professionals dedicated to improving care for rare skin conditions. Dr. Mark Koh, co-founder of RSCS, highlighted the progress made: “What we’ve built is a united medical front… because we believe every patient deserves dignity, understanding, and access to expert care.”

The event underscores the importance of systemic change and community support, aiming to make the invisible visible.
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Singapore-based digital wealth management platform Syfe is set to acquire Selfwealth, one of Australia’s largest digital investing platforms, following a successful shareholder vote approving the AU$65m transaction. The acquisition, expected to be completed by 7 May, will see Selfwealth delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and operate as Selfwealth by Syfe, maintaining its headquarters in Melbourne.

Syfe, founded in 2019, aims to democratise wealth management by providing accessible and affordable investment solutions. The acquisition of Selfwealth aligns with Syfe’s strategy to grow its presence in Australia and expand its investor base. Dhruv Arora, Syfe’s CEO, stated, “Selfwealth’s strong user base and credibility in the Australian market make it a natural strategic fit for Syfe.”

The deal will allow Syfe to offer its broader suite of investment products and technology-driven solutions to Selfwealth’s existing customers, whilst maintaining the services they currently enjoy. Samantha Horton, Syfe’s Group Chief Operating Officer, will lead the integration process.

Selfwealth CEO Craig Keary expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting the alignment of both companies’ visions to enhance the digital investing experience. “We see great value in entering a new phase for the Selfwealth business with Syfe’s vision,” Keary said.

Australia’s growing ‘mass affluent’ population, with nearly 12 million individuals holding investable wealth over $100,000, presents a significant opportunity for Syfe. The company aims to address the gap in digital investment and advice services, offering a holistic platform that provides global market access and end-to-end wealth solutions.
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ASEAN economies are grappling with the repercussions of a recent 10% reciprocal tariff, as outlined in CGS International’s latest economic note.

The tariff has led to downward adjustments in growth forecasts for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, whilst Vietnam emerges as the most adversely affected due to its high dependence on the US market. Indonesia, however, remains relatively insulated given its low export reliance on the US.

The exclusion of the semiconductor segment from the tariff list, announced on 2 April and extended on 11 April, offers some respite. Over 60% of Singapore and Malaysia’s exports to the US are exempted, compared to 30% for Thailand and Vietnam, and 10% for Indonesia. However, CGS International warns that this relief may be temporary as the US administration considers additional tariffs targeting the semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors.

The economic note suggests that the ASEAN region may need to pivot towards a consumption-driven growth model, as the US remains a critical market for its exports. The possibility of a ‘Mar-a-Lago accord’ could cement a permanent minimum tariff, further complicating ASEAN’s export-oriented growth strategy.

Forecast revisions include Malaysia’s GDP growth for 2025 being lowered to 4.2% from 4.6%, and Singapore’s to 1.6% from 2.5%. Thailand’s forecast sees a slight increase to 1.8% from an earlier 1.5%, though still below pre-April expectations. Indonesia’s growth remains projected at 5.0%, reflecting its relative insulation from the trade tensions.

These developments underscore the need for ASEAN economies to navigate the evolving trade landscape carefully, balancing national interests with external pressures.
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