Industry News

SC Capital Partners, a Singapore-based private equity real estate investment manager, has announced the appointment of Christopher Hur as Managing Director, Investments. Hur will lead the firm’s hospitality activities and platform strategies across the Asia Pacific region, focusing on origination, execution, and portfolio growth in the hospitality and living sectors.

Hur joins SC Capital Partners with nearly two decades of experience in hotel real estate and investment, having previously served as CEO of Lodgis Hospitality Holdings. At Lodgis, he spearheaded strategic initiatives and platform expansion. His career also includes senior roles at Host Hotels & Resorts and investment banking and real estate private equity positions at Lehman Brothers.

Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman of SC Capital Partners, expressed confidence in Hur’s expertise, stating, “Chris brings deep expertise across hospitality real estate investment, including strong experience in building and scaling institutional platforms.” Hur himself remarked on the firm’s reputation, saying, “SC Capital Partners is one of the most established and well-respected investment managers in Asia Pacific.”

Founded in 2004, SC Capital Partners manages approximately $9b in assets, with Japan as its largest market. The firm is known for its expertise in hospitality, data centres, logistics, and living sectors. Hur’s appointment is expected to bolster SC Capital Partners’ strategic positioning in the lodging sector, aligning with the firm’s growth ambitions in the region.

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) recently hosted its annual New Year Conversations 2026, bringing together more than 250 industry leaders from the maritime sector. The event, held in Singapore, focused on discussing the global outlook, challenges, and opportunities for Maritime Singapore in the coming year. Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, Murali Pillai, delivered the opening address, emphasising the importance of collaboration and resilience to maintain Singapore’s competitive edge in the maritime industry.

A key feature of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group. The panel included notable figures such as Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill Ocean Transportation; Rolf Thore Roppestad, Chairman of IG Group and CEO of Gard; Nicholas Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register; Harvonne Yap, Vice President of Products Freight Trading at Shell; and Jeremy Sutton, CEO of Swire Shipping. The discussion centred on the market outlook for 2026, addressing potential risks and opportunities.

Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of SMF, highlighted the foundation’s role in fostering industry collaboration. “Through platforms such as the annual New Year Conversations, the Singapore Maritime Foundation brings the industry together and provides an avenue for senior leaders across the ecosystem to connect, take stock of the industry’s developments, and share insights,” he stated.

The event underscored the SMF’s commitment to enhancing Maritime Singapore’s competitiveness and developing a skilled workforce, ensuring the sector’s growth and resilience in a complex global environment.

Olam Group Limited has announced significant progress in its efforts to sell its remaining 32.4% stake in ARISE P&L Limited. The company has secured approvals from various lenders, a crucial step towards obtaining the necessary consents from ARISE P&L shareholders and regulatory authorities. The completion of this proposed sale, initially announced on 17 April 2025, was expected by 31 December 2025, contingent on receiving all required approvals.

The sale is part of a conditional agreement between Olam International Limited and Equitane DMCC. The company has emphasised its intention to finalise the transaction as soon as practicable once all conditions are met. Olam Group has committed to keeping shareholders informed of any material developments, in line with Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited’s listing requirements.

Shareholders are advised to exercise caution when trading shares, as the completion of the sale is not guaranteed. The company has urged shareholders to consult professional advisers if they have any concerns regarding their investments.

Olam Group, a leading food and agri-business, continues to focus on its mission to ‘Re-imagine Global Agriculture and Food Systems’. Headquartered in Singapore, the company ranks among the top 30 largest primary listed companies on the Singapore Exchange by market capitalisation.

Ant International has announced it facilitated over 2 billion digital transactions in 2025 across key emerging markets, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company, which supports more than 150 million merchants worldwide, is enhancing its AI-powered digital financial and commerce solutions to meet the diverse needs of these regions.

The company’s efforts are focused on improving access to payments, credit, digital banking, and cross-border connectivity in rapidly growing digital economies. Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, highlighted the potential of AI and new technologies to unlock growth opportunities, stating, “It is time for fintech innovators to convert access into real growth momentum.”

Key achievements in 2025 include Bettr’s expansion of credit services to over 30 million SMEs and individuals, and Alipay+’s partnerships with five national QR payment networks across ASEAN. In Singapore and Malaysia, travellers increased their spending via SGQR and DuitNow QR, respectively, boosting economic value for SMEs.

Ant International’s flagship merchant payment services, Antom, recorded a 75% growth outside China, whilst 2C2P saw a 38% year-on-year growth in transaction volume for merchants in Southeast Asia. WorldFirst expanded into Malaysia and Thailand, achieving nearly 40% growth in transaction value as more SMEs engaged in global e-commerce.

As digital economies continue to scale, Ant International remains committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through partnerships with governments and businesses.

YY Group Holding Limited, a leader in on-demand workforce solutions and integrated facilities management, has announced the establishment of a group-level Learning & Organisational Development (L&OD) function. This strategic move aims to transition the company from a phase of rapid expansion to sustainable growth and value creation. The initiative will focus on consolidating the organisation and building scalable internal capabilities.

The new L&OD function is designed to enhance leadership capabilities across all levels, standardise critical skills for operational excellence, and support talent development and succession planning. By embedding structured learning journeys and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, YY Group aims to improve execution quality, boost talent retention, and strengthen its internal leadership pipeline.

Nor Salehati has been appointed as Head of L&OD, with Wee Jing Ye as Deputy Head. Both bring extensive human resources and training expertise, as well as a deep understanding of the company’s operations. They will be responsible for designing and implementing group-wide learning frameworks and leadership development programmes aligned with YY Group’s long-term business objectives.

This development follows a period of significant business expansion and acquisitions for YY Group. The creation of a centralised L&OD function reflects the company’s commitment to integrating its operations and supporting long-term growth. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the company’s organisational foundation and scalability.

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has unveiled Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, an immersive exhibition that delves into the cultural significance of tea. Running from 28 January to 7 June 2026, the showcase invites visitors to explore tea beyond taste and smell, engaging all senses to highlight tea’s role as a human ritual.

This collaboration marks ACM’s first partnership with a global lifestyle brand, aiming to reimagine tea heritage by integrating traditional museum collections with contemporary practices. Clement Onn, Director of ACM and Peranakan Museum, stated, “Through this partnership with CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board, we have the exciting opportunity to reimagine the experience of tea heritage.”

The exhibition features contributions from local creatives, including Ashley Yeo and Alecia Neo, who offer contemporary interpretations of tea. Yeo’s work evokes the essence of tea leaves, whilst Neo’s Symphony of Tea combines sound and visual elements to explore tea’s symphonic experience.

CHAGEE CEO Lawrence Wen emphasised tea’s role as a cultural connector, saying, “At CHAGEE, we see tea as something deeply human – found in shared moments, conversations, and everyday life.”

The exhibition also includes a CHAGEE pop-up by the Singapore River, offering exclusive merchandise and beverages. Tickets are available for S$25 for tourists and S$12 for Singaporeans and PRs, providing access to all museum exhibitions.

The International Workplace Group (IWG) has released its latest State of the C-Suite report, revealing that 95% of CEOs are optimistic about 2026, with 84% expecting global economic conditions to improve. The report, based on a survey of 1,200 C-suite leaders, highlights a disciplined approach focusing on cost control, productivity, and AI-led efficiency.

The study underscores the importance of cost discipline, with all surveyed CEOs emphasising its necessity. Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responding by reducing budgets by an average of 10%. AI and automation are set to play a pivotal role, with 83% of leaders prioritising these technologies to enhance productivity.

Flexibility is also a key strategy, with 83% of CEOs enabling teams to work from multiple locations. This approach is driven by benefits such as shorter commutes, access to a wider talent pool, and improved employee satisfaction. More than half of CEOs plan to transition to shorter-term leases or flexible workspace memberships in 2026.

In Singapore, these trends are already evident. Local businesses are balancing growth with resilience, with 51% implementing cost-saving measures and 30% planning to introduce more flexible working arrangements. AI adoption has led to significant cost savings, with SMEs reporting an average reduction of 52% in operational costs.

Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, stated, “By reducing daily, costly commutes and empowering people to work closer to where they live, leaders can cut costs, maximise productivity, and increase employee satisfaction.” As businesses navigate the challenges of 2026, the integration of AI and flexible work solutions appears to be a strategic priority for growth and efficiency.

Leo International Group has announced the relocation of its global headquarters to Singapore as it approaches its centennial year in 2026. This strategic move is part of the Group’s vision to redefine modern enterprise by focusing on longevity, responsibility, and inter-generational contribution. The relocation coincides with the planned inauguration of its Family Office, further cementing its commitment to a sustainable future.

The Group, which has a legacy of commercial success, aims to articulate a renewed vision for the next century. This vision is not solely defined by scale or momentum but by a commitment to enduring values and contributions across generations. The relocation to Singapore, a global financial hub, underscores the Group’s dedication to these principles.

The move to Singapore is expected to bolster the Group’s presence in Asia and enhance its ability to drive innovation in healthcare, finance, and education. As the Group embarks on this new chapter, it aims to embody a model of enterprise that is anchored in these critical sectors, ensuring its relevance and impact for generations to come.

Centurion Asset Management Pte. Ltd., the manager of Centurion Accommodation REIT (CAREIT), has announced the completion of its acquisition of EPIISOD Macquarie Park, a newly developed 732-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Sydney, Australia. This acquisition, completed under a Forward Purchase Agreement, represents CAREIT’s first PBSA investment in Sydney following its initial public offering in September 2025.

The EPIISOD Macquarie Park, operated under the new premium EPIISOD brand, offers modern amenities such as a rooftop pool, wellness centre, and tech-enabled features. Strategically located in the Macquarie Innovation Precinct, it is close to Macquarie University and other key locations, offering seamless connectivity to Sydney’s central business district.

The acquisition, valued at A$345m (S$280.1m), was fully funded through committed debt facilities. This move not only strengthens CAREIT’s presence in Australia but also adds to its portfolio of 15 assets across Singapore, the UK, and Australia, with a total valuation of S$2.1b.

Tony Bin, CEO of the Manager, stated, “The acquisition of EPIISOD Macquarie Park marks a key milestone for CAREIT in building a high-quality and diversified accommodation portfolio.” The acquisition is expected to provide income stability through a master lease agreement with Centurion Properties Pte. Ltd., ensuring a secure investment for CAREIT’s stakeholders.

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong by IHG has been named the top hotel in Singapore, according to Atiom’s annual Hotel Service Index report for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The report, which evaluates the Staff Service Sentiment Index (SSI) across 180 hotels in nine countries, also ranked Voco Orchard Singapore by IHG and Sofitel Singapore City Centre in second and third place, respectively.

The report utilises SSI, a proprietary metric that analyses thousands of online guest reviews using deep learning. It assesses sentiment across 11 experience factors, including staff service, value for money, and amenities. This year’s findings indicate a shift in Singapore’s hotel market towards high-value, experiential travel. Despite international visitation being 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, revenue is expected to grow at a 6.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030.

Matt Spriegel, CEO of Atiom, commented, “We are pleased to release our annual APAC Hotel Service Index once again. By offering clear, data-driven insights, we enable hospitality leaders to benchmark performance, improve service quality, and enhance the overall guest experience.”

The report also underscores the importance of technology-enabled automation in addressing Singapore’s hospitality labour shortage, which is projected to reduce sector growth by 1.4%. Automation of routine tasks is becoming increasingly critical to support the delivery of personalised and culturally immersive experiences that guests now demand.

As Singapore’s hospitality industry continues to evolve, the emphasis on staff engagement and technological integration will be key to maintaining service excellence and meeting the growing expectations of travellers.