PRESIDENT / Damian Adams, Watson Farley & Williams LLP
VICE PRESIDENT / PRESIDENT-ELECT / Haslam Preeston, CapitaLand
VICE PRESIDENT / Simon Middlebrough, SAESL
VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT / Suzy Goulding, MSL Group
SECRETARY / Nick Magnus, Dulwich College (Singapore)
TREASURER / Christina Mason, PwC
Andrew Clark, AsiaWorks
Andy Marr, 8build
David Haigh, EY
Dr. Lissy Vadakel, British Council
Lorena Paglia, Microsoft
Michael Buchanan, Temasek International
Michael Yap, Coventry University
Penny Murphy, ERM
Prakash Pinto, Standard Chartered Bank
Simon Bennett, Swire Shipping
Steve Firstbrook, Department for Business & Trade
It is incredible that only 6 weeks or so have passed since the publication of the previous edition of the Orient. So much has happened in that time. In this President’s message, I reflect on what has been going on, and take the opportunity to make some welcomes, offer some congratulations, and say some goodbyes.
First of all, we congratulate not one, but two current and former Chamber members who were honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours Overseas and International List! Nick Magnus, Board Member and Secretary of the Chamber and Head of Dulwich College (Singapore), was recognised for his outstanding contributions to British education abroad, while Richard Warburton, immediate past President of the Chamber, was celebrated for his exceptional service to British commercial interests and the community in Singapore. Congratulations to them both on the well-deserved recognition for their outstanding service and contribution.
In June, David Kelly attended the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce, of which BritCham Singapore is a member, in his capacity as Executive Director of BritCham Singapore and as one
President’s Message
of two international board members of the British Chambers. At that conference, David was featured on a panel discussion where he spoke about UK exports to Singapore and APAC. He shared how the Chamber can support UK companies to grow overseas, and the infrastructure in place to make this happen.
Continuing in the vein of Chamber connectivity with the UK, we hosted a breakfast dialogue with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, who touched on a fantastically diverse range of topics during my conversation with him. We covered not only the latest developments in London’s finance and professional services sector, but also the strength of the diversity of tech, biotech and science-based / R&D companies that call the Square Mile home. Who knew that finance and professional services, for which the City is best known, accounted for only about 1/3 of City employees? Or that there number approximately 8,000 tech companies? Outlining his Connect to Prosper initiative, which aims to bring together thought leaders from the scientific, academic, and business worlds to demonstrate the City’s strengths in solving global challenges, the Lord Mayor provided some fascinating insights into City-
led innovations, such as the creation and issuance of financing instruments for the clean-up of space debris.
In relation to Singapore, the Chamber hosted a members and friends dialogue with TAFEP, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, with participants from industry, human resources functions, immigration advisors and law firms. During the session, TAFEP shared the new Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR) and the upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation (WFL).
In advance of the UK General Election, we hosted a NatWest Markets event for members to discuss the UK economy and outlook on the election. Our members heard from NatWest Market’s Chief UK Economist, Ross Walker; and Head of Non-Dollar Rates Strategy, Imogen Bachra, CFA, both of whom provided in-depth analysis of NatWest’s projections and perspectives for navigating the current economic landscape.
On a similar theme, our BritCham Presents event series saw The Sovereign Group and Spice Taxation come together under the banner of “Last Chance for Non-Doms”, to provide members with an overview of the recently announced UK tax regulations for non-UK domiciled families – announced under the previous Conservative Government – along with strategies to safeguard wealth and assets.
On a lighter note, 100 people in 18 teams participated in our second annual Big Pub Quiz, held this year at Muddy Murphy’s, and fast becoming an iconic event and crowd favourite. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good pub quiz?
We have of course seen in the past few weeks in the UK a change of governing party and Prime Minister, and in Singapore a refresh of government and change of Prime Minister. We congratulate both Sir Keir Starmer and PM Lawrence Wong on their respective appointments, and we look forward to working with both governments where the opportunity arises, to champion the interests of British and Brit-ish businesses in Singapore, and more broadly in ASEAN. We will continue to help build on the already warm industry and trade relationships between the two countries.
Online and in-person, our fantastically well-received and highly rated podcast series continues. This time with a twist, David Kelly interviewed the British High Commissioner to Singapore, Her Excellency Kara Owen CMG CVO, in front of a live audience at Poddster’s fabulous purpose-built podcast studio. This special feature is part of Kara’s farewell
to Singapore, as she prepares to leave the country at the end of her posting in late-July. The episode is now available on our podcast channel on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and YouTube, so do check out Kara’s wonderfully candid account of her 5 years as High Commissioner to Singapore. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge again the amazing contribution by Kara in her time in Singapore as High Commissioner, the efforts she has made and the successes she has enjoyed in promoting a close and strong working relationship between the British High Commission, the Department of Business and Trade and the Chamber.
As we say a fond farewell to Kara and her family, and wish them all the very best for their next adventure, we look forward to welcoming the incoming British High Commissioner to Singapore, Nikesh Mehta, and his family. Nik is due to take up his posting from the end of July. We look forward to welcoming him properly at the Chamber’s 70th Anniversary Gala Event on 29 August 2024, along with a very, very special Guest of Honour, details to follow, but not one to be missed!
Finally, another farewell, this time my own, as I will be stepping down as President of the Chamber in advance of my own relocation to the UK in late July. The move comes for me after more than 24 years in Singapore, more than 20 of which have seen my involvement in the Chamber in one form or another; in the early 2000s as a former “Chair” of BritPack – the then “young” (20-somethings!) chapter of the Chamber – to Board member, Secretary, Chair of two committees and Vice-President (twice). I even hit my constitutional term limit as a Board member, which required me to take a oneyear “break” before rejoining the Board. It’s fair to say therefore that BritCham Singapore, through its evolution over the past two-plus decades, is something that has featured as a constant in my professional life, and which I have enjoyed thoroughly and benefitted from enormously, in building my network and making firm friends. It is with absolute pride that I have been able to serve as President of such a sophisticated and impactful organisation for the past two or so years.
Although I step down and prepare to leave Singapore with a hint of sadness, it is with absolute confidence that the Chamber remains in excellent hands under the daily management of David and the amazing Chamber team – Anna, Ashni, Caitrin, Dominic, Emma, Faiz, Louise, Lucy, Natassia and Radhika – thank you all, and under the expert stewardship of serving Vice-President and President-elect, Haslam Preeston. Haslam has previ-
ously served as Chair of the British Chamber in Indonesia, and is very familiar with BritCham Singapore. I expect the Chamber to continue to flourish under his presidency. Thank you also to all current and past members of the Board who have supported me and the Chamber team over the past two years or so, your contribution is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
So, this is my final President’s Message, though it does not represent the end of my involvement with the Chamber. Although I have relocated to the UK, my day-to-day role will remain Singapore / Southeast Asia facing. Hence, I will be back in Singapore from time to time, and for the time being, I will continue to serve on the Board of the Chamber as an overseas ambassador, flying the flag in the UK for BritCham Singapore. Watch this space for what happens next!
Finally, to you, the members, whom I have greatly enjoyed meeting, networking and socialising with during my time with the Chamber in Singapore, thank you. You make the Chamber what it is, and without you, it would be nothing.
Best regards,
Damian Adams President British Chamber of Commerce Singapore
The GreatBRITISH BALL
J o i n t h e B r i t i s h c o m m u n i t y f o r a
d a z z l i n g a n d f e s t i v e g a l a c e l e b r a t i o n
D e c e m b e r D e c e m b e r F r i d a y F r i d a y 6 6
R e s e r v e Y o u r T a b l e R e s e r v e Y o u r T a b l e
B o o k n o w a t b r i t c h a m . o r g . s g / e v e n t s
B o o k n o w a t b r i t c h a m . o r g . s g / e v e n t s
Celebrating 10 Years of Dulwich College (Singapore)
In 2014, Dulwich College (Singapore) opened with 884 students from Toddler to Year 8. Ten years on, we are a thriving, diverse community of over 2,900 students representing more than 50 nationalities. As we celebrate our decade-long journey, we remain dedicated to nurturing resilient, empathetic, and responsible global citizens, who are prepared to be peacemakers and changemakers in our interconnected world.
To learn more about Dulwich College (Singapore) visit Singapore.dulwich.org or call admissions at 6890 1003
NEWS / AROUND THE CHAMBER
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AND SYMBIOTICS STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAUNCH OF SECOND GREEN BASKET BOND ACROSS ASIA AND AFRICA
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, has committed USD 75 million to the second Green Basket Bond arranged by Symbiotics Investments, a leading emerging markets access platform and financial lender. The green lending programme will increase financing to small-scale
green projects across Africa, South and South-East Asia through MSME lenders, with a particular focus on India. It will support new MSME lenders not included in the first Green Basket Bond and energy efficiency solutions, tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and communities across Asia. Following the success of the first Green Basket Bond issued in 2022, this programme will continue to leverage Symbiotics’ global network, and BII’s 76-year track record as an impact investor, to support an additional 10 – 15 MSME lenders who require smaller investment capital than BII is typically able to fund directly.
The MSME lenders will direct their lending to small businesses that usually find it difficult to access funding, and even more so for green projects. As with the first green basket bond, funding will be provided to green projects that span renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, green buildings, agriculture, forestry and more. The first Green Basket Bond supported 11 MSME lenders in India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tunisia, Botswana, Kenya, Bangladesh and Nepal.
CompEx, the international scheme for competency validation and certification of personnel who work in explosive atmospheres, has added a Small-Bore Tubing (SBT) Inspection course to its suite of qualifications.
Prior to the launch of this course, there have been no formal competence pathways specific to in-service inspection of SBT assemblies, making it an industry-first in globally standardising SBT testing.
The course is currently available at Approved Training Provider, RelyOn Nutec in Aberdeen, and will be offered by other training providers later this year. Further course specification information can be found here
DEGE & SKINNER TO HOST SEPTEMBER TRUNK
SHOW IN SINGAPORE
Dege & Skinner, a leading name in bespoke tailoring and shirt-making, is set to bring their renowned Trunk Show to Singapore this September. Managing Director William Skinner and Head Shirt-Cutter Tom Bradbury will be available for personalised appointments at The Intercontinental Hotel on Middle Road.
The available dates and times are: Monday, 9th September: 9am - 6pm Tuesday, 10th September: 9am - 6pm Wednesday, 11th September: 9am - 12pm
For booking details, visit the Dege & Skinner Trunk Shows page.
BOARD MEMBER NICHOLAS MAGNUS AND FORMER CHAMBER PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBER RICHARD WARBURTON HONOURED IN THE KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS OVERSEAS AND INTERNATIONAL LIST
The Chamber congratulates Nicholas Magnus MBE and Richard Warburton MBE, who were honoured in His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours Overseas and International List, and appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 14 June 2024.
Nicholas Magnus, a Board Member of the Chamber and Head of Dulwich College (Singapore), has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to British education and communities overseas. Richard Warburton, former President and Board Member of the Chamber, has been honoured for his exceptional service to British commercial interests and the British community in Singapore.
The King’s Birthday Honours Overseas and International List is a prestigious acknowledgement that recognises individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the UK on the global stage. This honour celebrates their dedication, hard work, and contributions to British communities and interests worldwide.
The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore is immensely proud of Nicholas Magnus and Richard Warburton for their remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to the British community. Their exemplary service and leadership continue to inspire and strengthen our members and our business community in Singapore.
NEWS / BEYOND THE CHAMBER
BETTER
SKILLS TRAINING WILL CUT MIGRATION, VOWS UK’S PRIME MINISTER
Sir Keir Starmer has said his planned shake-up of training in England will reduce the need for firms to hire from abroad. In a speech, the prime minister said a lack of workplace skills had made the UK reliant on “higher and higher” levels of immigration.
Labour is likely to face public and political pressure to reduce legal migration from record highs in the wake of Brexit. It does not have an overall migration target, but wants to cut demand for overseas hires by more strongly linking training with migration policies.
Ministers want a new government body, Skills England, to work with other advisers to plug “skills gaps” in key sectors. But the agency is expected to take up to a year to set up, and Sir Keir acknowledged his approach would not provide a “quick fix”.
Under Labour’s plans, Skills England will work more closely with official migration advisers to develop training plans for sectors that are currently reliant on immigrants to fill roles.
MALAYSIA EXPECTS TO SIGN DEAL WITH SINGAPORE IN SEPTEMBER ON SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
Malaysia said it’s near a deal with Singapore to develop South-east Asia’s first cross-border Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which the two countries hope will lure new investment and spur growth.
“We have gone into some final legwork,” Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, who is representing Malaysia in bilateral talks with Singapore, said at a briefing in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Jul 10). “Both sides should be able to sign a deal” and unveil the zone in September.
The geographic makeup of the zone has almost been finalised, Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi said at the briefing.
Malaysia and Singapore signed a memorandum to develop the economic zone in January this year, aiming for the free movement of goods and people between the resource-rich state of Johor and land-constrained Singapore.
Rafizi said the signing will occur before a scheduled year-end leaders retreat involving Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong.
NEW $90 MILLION PROGRAMME TO FUND MORE RESEARCH INTO HYDROGEN USE AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMICALS
To help decarbonise Singapore’s energy and industrial sectors, a $90 million programme has been launched to further national research into areas such as hydrogen utilisation and the production of greener chemicals and fuels, like sustainable aviation fuel.
The Create Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation is a “large-scale, but ambitious and synergistic” initiative, said Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, the permanent secretary for national research and development, at the launch on July 22.
He stressed the importance of positioning Singapore for new, low-carbon energy alternatives as it looks to get to net-zero emissions by 2050.
While Singapore relies on predominantly natural gas for its electricity generation, it is looking to green its economy by importing green electricity from its neighbours, and pursuing other clean energy alternatives, including hydrogen, geothermal energy, nuclear technology, as well as carbon capture and utilisation, Prof Tan noted.
RECAP / DIALOGUE WITH THE LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LONDON
We held a breakfast dialogue with the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, with Chamber members and the business community on 28 May 2024. The Chamber has maintained strong ties with the City of London Corporation team for many years, and will continue to work closely with them to focus on areas of opportunity between our two cities.
There are an impressive 615,000 workers in the City of London (the square mile), with over 100,000 working in the financial and professional services sectors and increasing numbers in the science and technology space.
We learnt more about the Lord Mayor’s role as an ambassador for London’s financial services. Did you know that the Lord Mayor spends 100 days of his 12-month term outside of London, visiting around 25 countries to maintain the City’s close ties and interests internationally?
Some key programmes that Alderman Mainelli and the City of London team are working on this year include the Knowledge Mile Lectures, training for the financial and professional services sector in AI and ethics, and sustainable finance.
RECAP / THE KING’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT EDEN HALL OPEN HOUSE
To celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, outgoing British High Commissioner to Singapore H.E. Kara Owen CMG CVO opened her residence Eden Hall to the British community and members of the public on 22th June 2024.
The Chamber’s management team and members worked alongside the British High Commission, together with major British brands, member businesses and the larger community to support the event.
Guests were treated to a guided tour by Kara around the historic Eden Hall, angelic music performed by choirs and bands of British schools, scrumptious British foods, and exciting fun and craft booths.
Even Percy the Pig from Marks and Spencer made a surprise appearance! Needless to say, Percy was a big hit with the kids!
RECAP / THE BIG PUB QUIZ
Over 100 participants and 18 teams duked it out at our flagship The Big Pub Quiz on 5th June 2024. The ultimate trivia showdown took place at Muddy Murphy’s.
Voices and drinks were raised between deep strategy and roaring laughter over 6 rounds covering General Knowledge, Sports, Music, Entertainment, a Bonus Round and Sudden Death!
We congratulate and give three cheers to our winning teams: 3rd place: Team Beauty and the 4 Fat Beasts 2nd place: Team Contains Nuts
And our undisputed Champions of the Year: Damian Adams, Matthew Dick, Billy Fraser, Kent Albert Bagnol, also known by their hilarious but factual team name: Team Two Brits, One Filipino and a Kiwi walked into an Irish Pub!
Thank you to members of the Chamber and the business community who joined us. This event is made possible by our sponsors Australian Vintage, The Honey Colony, Little Farms and Central Distribution Pte Ltd.
First Hospitality and F&B Working Group Meeting with eight member companies in attendance, May 2024
The Chamber’s Trade Services and the UK - Southeast Asia Trade Digitalisation Pilots (TDP) represented at the Asia Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) and ASEAN-BAC Southeast Asia Conference, May 2024
NatWest Markets Plc and the Chamber held an event for members to discuss the UK economy and outlook on the General Elections, June 2024
Unlocking AI: Powering GenAI with Unstructured Data event, on how unstructured data can build robust LLM models, June 2024
Lunch dialogue on social mobility at the British High Commission with Clarence Ching, founder of Access Singapore, June 2024
BritCham Presents: Last Chance for Non-Doms event, hosted in collaboration with Sovereign Group and Spice Taxation, May 2024
MEMBER PROFILES /
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
The Chamber continues to welcome exciting new member companies to our network. To contact them visit the Membership Directory on our website or reach out to our team.
SM2 CONSULTING PTE LTD
SM2 Consulting focuses on recruitment of Senior Management and Sales and Marketing professionals across APAC.
Partnering and having an understanding of your client’s needs, is a gap in the market. Having identified this gap in the market drove them to create their niche specialisation.
Understanding the market environment, industry specific dynamics and requirements has helped SM2 Consulting develop a “tailormade” system to offer flexible solutions across a wide range of industries throughout APAC.
They have a passion for the experience that both our clients and candidates have, SM2 Consulting aims to use its depth and experience to change the recruiting process. Visit www.sm2-consulting.com for more information.
RICARDO
Ricardo Plc is a world-class environmental, engineering and strategic consulting company listed on the London Stock Exchange. With more than 100 years of engineering excellence, they provide exceptional levels of technical expertise in delivering leading-edge and innovative cross-sector sustainable solutions to solve our clients’ most complex strategic and operational challenges.
Visit www.ricardo.com/en for more information.
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
The British Association of Singapore is a non-profit organization that provides a warm welcome for British newcomers as well as any nationality who is keen to join their community. They offer a variety of recreational activities for their members in various locations throughout Singapore.
The BA has a long and auspicious history where they were instrumental in starting The British Club, schools such as Tanglin Trust School, United World College as well as the Gleneagles Hospital. The British High Commissioner and their spouse are the Association’s Patrons by tradition, and The BA enjoys a good relationship with the High Commissioner, where they are regularly invited to hold events at Eden Hall, the High Commissioner’s official Residence on Nassim Road.
The Council is strictly on a voluntary basis, where they organise different events for their members through collaboration with various companies, as well as do fundraising activities to support local charities in Singapore.
Join the BA community and enjoy all the fun social activities, book clubs, walks, workshops and get access to The British Club on certain days.
Visit www.britishassociation.org.sg for more information.
IESVE
IES is a global climate tech company delivering innovative technology solutions and consultancy services to decarbonise the built environment.
Over the last 30 years, they have built a solid reputation as the leading global innovator in integrated performance-based analysis and they are now home to the largest building physics analytics team in the world.
Supporting resource-efficient, healthy and cost-effective built-environments, they simulate and analyse data to give those involved in the design, retrofit and operation of buildings the information needed to make smarter, more sustainable decisions with confidence.
Visit www.iesve.com for more information.
TROVIO TECHNOLOGY
Trovio Technology works with environmental asset operators, commodity industry participants, and financial institutions delivering CorTenX - a purpose-built digital registry, that scales environmental solutions to effect real climate action and force transparency on participants.
Visit www.trovio.io for more information.
BELU WATER
Belu Water is a sustainable business and social enterprise founded in the UK in 2007 that launched in Singapore in July 2024 to ‘change the way the world sees water’.
Belu helps the Hospitality sector and Corporate Workplace sector with sustainable water solutions, offering premium Filtered Water Dispensers serving hot, chilled, ambient or sparkling water on demand in refillable bottles, removing the need for single use bottles.
The leading Social Enterprise invests in water stewardship impact projects with 100% of net profits invested into WaterAid, its social impact partner to reach marginalised communities worldwide with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. To date that’s over SG$10 million/£5.8m.
Awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2024, Belu’s Purpose P&L, aligns business performance to the UN Sustainable Developments Goals, 6, 12, 13, 14 and 17, and has a net-zero target.
With a new hot/ cold/ sparkling tap aimed at the Corporate Workplace launching late 2024, partnering with Belu supports companies with Diverse Supplier and Sustainable Procurement goals.
Belu invites values aligned client partners to join them in changing the way the world sees water, and create an exciting water story for people and planet.
Visit https://belu.org for more information.
LAUNDRYHEAP
Laundryheap is the world’s leading on-demand laundry, ironing and dry cleaning service.
They collect, clean, and deliver everything to you in 48 hours.
With instant collection and free delivery, Laundryheap takes care of all your laundry, ironing & dry cleaning needs so you can save time for the things you love.
It’s simple, convenient & affordable.
Visit www.laundryheap.com.sg for more information.
CT GROUP
CT Group is a global consultancy that combines expertise in research, intelligence, campaigns, and advisory services, to deliver the results their clients need.
With decades of experience securing successful outcomes in every corner of the world and across multiple sectors and markets, CT Group knows the importance of clear information, actionable insight and results-focused strategies.
Visit www.ctgroup.com for more information.
SPECIAL FEATURE: 30 BY 30: MOVING PAST THE HASHTAG TO FOOD SECURITY
With the recent setbacks to Singapore’s 30 by 30 goal, we must do more to strengthen our food security. Besides taking advantage of our high-rise skyline, we should educate and empower communities to care about the source of their produce.
By Matthew Howe, Founder of Grobrix
InApril 2019, the Singapore government announced its “30 by 30” initiative, with a lofty ambition to produce 30 per cent of its food locally by 2030. To do this in land-scarce Singapore, the focus was placed on fish, leafy vegetables and eggs; food that does not need acres of arable land to thrive.
Shortly after the announcement, COVID-19 struck globally. The pandemic highlighted the weaknesses in Singapore’s food security, and we saw first-hand the importance of local produce. More recently, we witnessed numerous setbacks, restructures and a spate of closures from local hightech farms. With 2030 fast approaching, is #30by30
realistic? If not, what needs to change for us to get there?
Education and Empowerment Creates Demand for Local Produce
Price is a commonly cited issue with locally grown produce. Singapore has a particularly price-sensitive economy and currently, there remains a fundamental lack of interest from consumers in pricier local produce. What these consumers don’t realise is the multifaceted benefits of such a purchase: no preservatives; no single-use plastic; no use of conventional agriculture; reduced food miles; and more nutrient-dense produce. A few extra dollars in a weekly supermarket shop could pave the way for a more food-secure nation.
If we can educate and empower communities to care about the source of their produce, it might help shift the needle when it comes to their purchasing decisions. The responsibility for this behaviour shift should not fall solely on the shoulders
of consumers. The direction needs to come from the top. If governments, the private sector and NGOs work together to educate our communities, we can bring about genuine change.
Consider the Go Green SG movement, spearheaded by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). This nationwide initiative encourages the community to engage in collective actions for a cleaner and greener Singapore. Activities such as beach clean-ups, tree planting, food circularity programmes, and workshops on farming techniques and microgreen cultivation offer impactful ways to promote sustainable living.
Another significant effort is the Eco-Stewardship Programme introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) across all schools. This programme incorporates school-based initiatives and lesson plans to educate students on environmental sustainability. At Mee Toh School, Primary 3 students participate in a farm-to-table program where they learn about food security. They do so by growing vegetables hydroponically and cultivating mushrooms. The harvest is partly sold in the school canteen and partly donated to an old folks’ home.
Employee mental health and well-being are top priorities for businesses after the pandemic. Urban farming solutions present an excellent opportunity to blend employee engagement with sustainability initiatives. Edible vertical gardens enhance food quality and diversity, foster community engagement and cultivate a workplace culture centred on sustainability education.
As the founder of the urban farming business Grobrix, I have seen a surge in companies like Sodexo, M Moser, LinkedIn, Standard Chartered, and KPMG partnering with us to incorporate vertical gardens in their offices. The gardens promote sustainable living and take on a bigger role by becoming the centre of regular team activities such as harvesting sessions and salad workshops. These in turn encourage conversations on sustainability and positive lifestyle changes. The advantages of introducing greenery into urban spaces are clear—they improve coworker interaction, employee satisfaction, and overall well-being.
Beyond corporate settings, urban farming initiatives are also being adopted in hotels, retail spaces, and community centres. Edible vertical gardens offer unique benefits for businesses in the F&B and hospitality sectors. One such benefit is the ability to enhance their menu offerings with fresh and locally grown produce. For instance, Whole-foods store Little Farms installed one of our vertical farms and uses the produce in their café menu. Essentially, urban farming can act as an innovation tool for F&B and hospitality businesses to delight customers with new experiences.
Going Onward With 30 by 30 Requires Going Upward
Challenges in the urban farming industry, such as limited land availability and high initial costs, present opportunities for innovation and progress. Investing in local farms and embracing advanced technologies like automated systems and precision agriculture can help build a resilient and sustainable food system.
Through our collaborations, Grobrix has shown how hyper-local farming methods can integrate into urban structures, optimise space use and reduce operational costs. The success of our corporate partners highlights the potential of these systems to improve employee well-being and support corporate sustainability goals. By fostering educational initiatives and empowering communities to adopt sustainable practices, we can drive lasting change towards a more secure food future.
While Singapore is a small island nation, its skyline is dotted with skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. My ultimate vision is to transform Singapore’s Garden City into a Farm City, where indoor
greenery is edible, and everyone engages in farming for a couple of hours a week. Singapore’s ambitious “30 by 30” goal represents a visionary journey towards resilience, sustainability, and food security for future generations. Achieving this goal requires coordinated efforts across various sectors, with education playing a vital role. Who’s with me?
In a world where connections often feel digital and fleeting, Grobrix is reigniting the timeless bond between people, their food, and the environment. Our journey began with a simple, yet profound realisation: food has the unparallelled power to bring us together, to root us in nature, and to remind us of the joy found in the act of growing, preparing and sharing a meal.
With farming often at a distance, Grobrix brings the farm and the farmers closer to communities and into the heart of our daily lives. Driven by a belief in sustainability, wellness, and community, Grobrix isn’t just a product or service—it’s a movement. It’s a movement to promote a more sustainable way of living. One that encourages self sufficiency and wellness, where farm-totable nutritious produce is just an arm’s reach away. Visit https://grobrix.com/ for more information.
THE FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK: IS SINGAPORE READY FOR IT?
― Robert Walters’ recent study surveyed over 5,000 professionals and companies across 11 Asian countries. In Singapore, an overwhelming 93% of professionals expressed their readiness for a four-day work week trial, signalling an appetite for change. But are Singaporean employers on board?
By Monty Sujanani, Country Manager of Robert Walters
Theglobal pandemic dramatically altered the work environment, with traditional workplace models being replaced by remote work and flexible hours. Among these emerging models is the 4-day work week. Across Asia, discussions are ramping up. But in Singapore’s notorious work culture, is it a feasible option?
Visible Gap Between Employer’s Intention and Action
While Singaporean professionals are eager for change, there is a visible gap between intention and action among employers. A considerable 69% of employers found a four-day work week feasible. However, only a mere 18% of this group would likely trial a four-day work week or have held discussions to put the plan in place. Their underlying concerns? The difficulty in implementing a four-day work week across the business may result in employee unhappiness, a negative customer experience, and a potential increase in business costs.
Employers and Employees See Eye-to-Eye on Benefits
Despite the reticence among employers, both parties acknowledged the potential benefits of a four-day work week. Professionals believed it could enhance their work-life balance (91%) and provide more time for their families (60%). They also suggested it could raise productivity (48%) and lead to commuting cost savings (40%).
Employers also recognise the potential benefits of a four-day work week, and how it would primarily improve employee well-being (90%). They see it as a tool to enhance talent attraction and retention (84%) and improve employee productivity (69%).
In fact, when asked about non-monetary initiatives to improve talent attraction and retention, 35% of businesses flagged the four-day work week as a viable strategy. Other suggested initiatives included learning and development, employee well-being, equity, and diversity & inclusion.
The Dichotomy of the 4-Day Work Week
While a large majority of professionals in Singapore express a desire for a 4-day work week trial, the data also reveals the concerns of those who oppose the idea. Their primary worry is that their workload would remain the same (67%), resulting in more stress. Other concerns reported include the desire to spread the workload over five days (50%), and a potential pay reduction (33%) due to working fewer hours.
Employers also hold reservations. 72% of employers were concerned that the difficulties in implementing a shortened week across the office would lead to employee dissatisfaction. Over half (52%) worried about a bad customer experience due to reduced staff availability. Furthermore, 34% were anxious about higher business costs due to increased hiring or project delays.
With these concerns in mind, some employers suggested other alternatives they can adopt as a start. 22% of employers considered offering flexible working hours on Fridays, while another 20% figured they could implement a 4.5-day work week.
The Takeaway: Are We Ready?
The concept of the 4-day work week is undoubtedly gaining traction in Singapore, backed by a strong wave of employee support. There’s a widespread belief that such a model could enhance work-life balance, improve productivity, and contribute to talent attraction and retention.
However, employers carry legitimate concerns about the practicality of implementation. Worries about increased business costs, impact on customer experience, and potential employee unhappiness act as real barriers to adoption.
The transition to a 4-day work week is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Companies must navigate the transition carefully by considering their unique circumstances and the diverse needs of their workforce.
Since 1985, businesses across the globe have relied on Robert Walters to find the very best specialist professionals and they are trusted to help build the careers of the world’s leading executives, job move after job move.
It’s a success story they’re proud of and one that’s built on the strength and passion of their people. As the business continues to expand, they operate with the same commitment to service and quality. Every candidate is treated as an individual with a focus on advising and consulting. This means they continually have the best candidates on the market to offer their clients. Visit www.robertwalters.com.sg for more information.
DECODING TRUST IN THE DIGITAL AGE IN SINGAPORE AND WIDER ASIA
― To unlock the full potential of digital transformation, we need to first understand how trust functions in the digital world. Building a trustworthy digital future in Singapore and Wider Asia requires regulation, digital literacy, transparency and so much more.
By Daisy Radford, Vice President Operations, EVYD Technology, and Chair, BritCham Technology Committee
Inan age where technology touches every element of our daily lives, trust has become a cornerstone of our digital interactions (whether we’re eager to acknowledge it or not). Trust in our digital world is not just an abstract concept. It is a crucial currency that underpins the functioning of our societies and economies. This is especially evident in Singapore and the wider Asian region, where rapid technological advancements reshape the trust landscape.
Singapore, often hailed as a global tech hub, is an excellent case study for digital transformation. The city’s commitment to innovation and digitalisation is neatly captured in its Smart Nation initiative, which aims to harness technology to improve lives, create more opportunities, and build stronger communities. Yet, with these advancements come new challenges in building and maintaining trust.
The Trust Landscape in Singapore
Singapore’s unique blend of technological ambition and regulatory foresight provides fertile ground for examining trust in the digital age. As highlighted by the work of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore, SGTech, and other leading trade associations, trust in technology is multifaceted, encompassing aspects such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
Data privacy is a critical component of trust. With the increasing digitisation of services, from banking to healthcare, Singaporeans are more reliant than ever on digital platforms that collect vast amounts of personal data. Ensuring that this data is handled with care and transparency is essential. The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Singapore has been proactive in setting robust
guidelines to protect personal data. However, continuous efforts and significant education are needed to keep pace with evolving technologies and threats.
Building cyber hygiene to maintain the health and resilience of our data, network and systems is important. Closely aligned with good cyber hygiene is cybersecurity, another key pillar of trust. The more interconnected we become, the wider our attack surface, and therefore the more vulnerable we are to cyber threats. In 2022, Singapore experienced a 145% increase in cyberattacks as compared to the previous year, as reported by the Cyber Security Agency (CSA). Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act 2018 and the CSA demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure. However, regulations are only one piece of the cybersecurity “puzzle”. The other key piece is fostering a national culture of security—where individuals and organisations work together to truly understand why protecting digital assets is vital, and understand how to do so.
Ethical AI usage is emerging as a significant area of focus. The World Economic Forum shared a recent study which found two-thirds (67%) of IT leaders would prioritise generative AI for their business within the next 18 months, with one-third (33%) claiming it as a top priority.
As AI systems become more integrated into decision-making processes such as hiring practices and loan approvals, ensuring these systems are fair, transparent, and accountable is paramount. Singapore’s Model AI Governance Framework, developed by IMDA, is a step in the right direction, promoting the responsible deployment of AI technologies.
Expanding the Trust Conversation in Asia
Beyond Singapore, the broader Asian region presents a diverse and dynamic trust landscape. Countries vary significantly in their levels of digital maturity, regulatory frameworks, and cultural attitudes towards technology. However, several common themes are emerging.
Firstly, there is a growing recognition of the importance of digital literacy. As more people come online, equipping them with the skills to navigate the digital world safely and confidently is crucial. This includes understanding how to protect personal information, recognising misinformation, and using digital tools responsibly.
Secondly, cross-border data flows are inherent to a connected world. Keeping consistent and harmonised data protection standards in place is a complex but necessary endeavour. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement supports the development of technology while placing guardrails to protect its collective population of 700 million.
Lastly, the ethical implications of emerging technologies need more attention. As we embrace technological innovations like AI, blockchain, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), we must consider the underlying vulnerabilities they introduce and, most importantly, their societal impact. Our reliance on the digital world is already here and will only increase.
Building a Trustworthy Future
Globally, the concept of trust is multifaceted. The debate on whether trust is an emotion, belief system, or expression continues, but there is agreement on its central role in all human relationships.
Our desire to trust the newest apps and be part of a new community often overpowers our cautious and logical side. In this context, we need to build
robust regulatory frameworks, promote digital literacy, and foster ethical innovation. As a society, we should celebrate those that adhere to sustainable safeguarding, and opt out of those that play fast and loose with data—data that has the power to transform our lives.
The responsibility lies with everyone—as businesses, government entities, and individuals—to uphold the principles of transparency, security, and ethical conduct.
As we navigate this rapidly evolving digital landscape, we must acknowledge that trust is the relationships we build and the values we uphold, and that remains true in the digital world. By prioritising trust, we can unlock the full potential of digital transformation, and create a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for all.
EVYD Technology is a healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) company with the mission to transform healthcare using data intelligence. They offer evidence-based solutions that seek to enhance public health surveillance, generate insights for decision-making, and implement programmes to improve healthcare outcomes.
Visit www.evydtech.com for more information.
TO WITHSTAND TODAY’S MARKET, FOUNDERS NEED TO THINK DIFFERENTLY
― The era of cheap capital and unfettered business growth is over. Founders need to be able to identify the frictions in their organisation and address them before it hamstrings their path to growth and profitability.
By Rob Bier, Managing Partner at Trellis Partners, Author of Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization
Backin the era of cheap capital, it was all about growth at all costs. When growth began to slow down, for whatever reason, the default response of entrepreneurs was to throw money at the problem: launch new products or features, expand into new markets, and hire more teams as needed to make this possible.
When product development slowed down, the CEOs’ first thought was to expand their product and engineering teams - rather than unpack the hindrances slowing down their existing organisation. Similarly, when sales were not firing on all cylinders, their instinctive response was to increase marketing spend or hire more salespeople.
For a time, this model made sense to both founders and investors alike. The marching order was straightforward: grow as fast as possible, by any means necessary. High growth justified high valuations, which supported huge capital raises —which could then be reinvested in continued growth. Needless to say, this model tended to
overlook issues like efficiency, sustainability and stability.
Since the recent hikes in interest rates and the drying up of capital, leaders of high-growth businesses have had to switch up their game. With the dramatic drop in valuations and the drying up of VC funding, many start-ups, scale-ups, and even listed businesses have been forced to lay off staff, pull back on growth targets, and batten down the hatches.
Now that capital is scarce, or worse still, impossible to access, founders and CEOs need to learn to scale with an entirely new model - one that requires a different mindset with new skills and sharper insights.
It Will Never Happen to Us.” – Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail.
The biggest shift is that leaders now need to master the organisational frictions that slow them down and cost them money. Too many have said:
“That won’t happen to us. We do things differently. We have a great culture and we’re super focused on getting stuff done!” All common statements. Yet, rarely are these leaders associated with organisations that have actually scaled successfully.
The reality is that growth creates tremendous internal frictions, unless leaders are highly focused and skillful at preventing and addressing them. Every time you open another office, launch a new service, add a new team or outsource another, you create a ‘complexity bomb’ that dramatically increases the level of complexity in your company. Complexity creates friction. All too soon, people are spending their time in unproductive meetings and no one is getting anything done. Unfettered growth, which was once a great solution, now no longer works.
This shift from what was once a high-performing organisation to a low-performing one typically takes entrepreneurs and executives by surprise. Why are CEOs not on the lookout for this? Because they simply did not realise it was a problem.
Do you remember when people did not know what gaslighting meant? The lack of understanding stemmed from a broader societal unawareness. But as awareness grew, it empowered individuals to recognise the problem and confront it. The same is true for organisational friction. CEOs are simply unaware that it is a significant factor that can prevent them from achieving their goals.
CEOs Need to Redefine Their Role
At the outset of the entrepreneurial journey, every start-up CEO focuses on getting stuff done -and that is how it should be. Later, they learn that they need to delegate tasks and soon enough, they see
the need to empower their management teams. In this second stage, they redefine their role to MAKE SURE stuff gets done. They try to crystallise this into their culture, which works until it does not.
Most founders not only are not on the lookout for these frictions, but what is worse is that they do not know how to prevent or remediate them when they emerge. Because they have no playbook for how to deal with them, they end up playing ‘whaca-mole’, solving one organisational problem at a time, only to discover there’s a never-ending stream of people with similar problems at their door. Or they ignore them altogether and focus on their ‘superpower’’ - driving growth.
In today’s capital-tight market, where having a path to profitability is a matter of life and death, founders cannot afford to allow organisational frictions to hamstring their efficiency or their growth. To accomplish this, they need to redefine their role in a much more profound way—from being task-oriented to organisation-oriented. To be a truly effective scaling-phase CEO, they should define their role as ‘building the organisation that gets things done.’
As they start to ‘tune in’ to their role in preventing and fixing these problems, they soon discover that the root cause of many of their growth problems lies in these organisational dysfunctions. Addressing these dysfunctions is dramatically more cost-effective than the old approach of throwing more people at the problem.
Trellis is a leadership development firm that partners with CEOs to help them build high-performance teams and scalable organisations. Led by scaling expert and former CEO Rob Bier, Trellis supports its clients across a stack of organization development needs including Leadership Development, creating high-performing teams, building cultures of accountability, and scaling. Visit https://trellis.partners for more information.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLESPICE TAXATION ON LIKELY TAX POLICIES OF THE NEW LABOUR GOVERNMENT
With the newly elected Labour government taking over the reins, Martin Rimmer from Spice Taxation gives us an overview of the state of UK tax policies, and what may likely change. (this article was last updated on 10th July 2024)
By Martin Rimmer, Managing Director of Spice Taxation Pte Ltd
The recent UK General Election unceremoniously dispensed with 14 years of Conservative Government and returned a landslide win for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Labour won an astonishing 412 seats (out of 650), which is a massive 291 more than the Conservatives – polling a total of 9,731,363 votes. Such was the scale of the rebellion against the governing Tory party and the split of the centrist/centre-right vote between a resurgent Liberal Democrat Party and huge popular enthusiasm for Reform UK, that Labour achieved this feat with roughly 500,000 fewer votes than when they polled in 2019 under Jeremy Corbyn, in which they won only 202 seats.
I am no political analyst. However, much as was the case in 2019 when promises of ‘delivering Brexit’ and ‘levelling up’ allowed the Tories to pierce the ‘Red Wall’ and romp to a 163-seat win over Labour, I can’t escape the feeling that the new Government’s majority is a mandate which has been merely lent by the British Public for a time. In 2019, the Tories
persuaded typical Labour voters, particularly in the north, to trust them. This time, out of a deep sense of betrayal, those voters returned home and the mainstream centrist/centre-right constituency, which had coalesced around the Tories in 2019, fell apart. It was a form of planned electoral suicide, knowing full well that a huge Labour majority would result. Trust rendered, provisionally perhaps.
As a result, Labour now enjoys the power to govern more forcefully than any Government in recent memory. The Centre/Right is now split between the Tories, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats. But, given the surprising drop in the popular vote which accompanied the landslide, any serious failure to deliver on the major promises in their 136-page manifesto could reveal serious fragility in their majority in 2029. On the other hand, if Labour succeeds in bringing the transformational change that it believes it can deliver across all areas of governance, it could establish the party in Government for a generation.
So, the time for talking is over and the time for governing has begun. And we should expect this rejuvenated Labour Government to ‘come out of the traps’ at a gallop. Tax policy is going to be at the heart of their decision-making. The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, and has been a Member of Parliament since 2010. She was described by Sir Keir Starmer in 2023 as “the most influential person on the British left today”. She supports an economic policy which focuses on ‘infrastructure, education and labour supply by rejecting tax cuts and deregulation’ – a policy type that she has coined as ‘securonomics’. In 2021, she supported a 2p cut in the Basic Rate of Income Tax and opposed a 1.2% planned rise in National Insurance. Good signs, perhaps.
So, what has the Labour Party said about various taxes and current issues? When might we expect change?
One Fiscal Event a Year
Rachel Reeves has made it clear that she will break from the routine of a Spring Budget and an Autumn Statement, opting instead for one annual Budget – probably in the Autumn. She has ruled out holding an Emergency Budget, and has committed to only fully costed Budgets supported by the rigorous analysis of the Office for Budget Responsibility. The OBR requires a 10-week preparation period before a Budget. Given the very brief period between the State Opening of Parliament on 17th July and the start of the Summer Recess on 31st July, I can’t imagine that we will have a Budget much before mid-October.
March 2024 Budget Proposals
You may remember that the Conservative’s last Budget announced a plan to abolish ‘non-domiciled status’ for UK tax purposes with effect from 6th April 2025 and to replace the current regime with a residence-based system, for Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax purposes.
Labour has since given its broad approval to the proposals. My sense is that they are likely to proceed with them more or less in their current form, albeit they have already said that they will:
• Not proceed with some of the ‘transitional reliefs’ proposed by the Conservatives for those already resident in the UK, and
• Not proceed with a protection from Inheritance Tax that the Conservatives had built in for pre-existing trusts known as ‘excluded property trusts’.
Beyond this, Labour has made no further comment at this stage. I expect them to press ahead with this at a pace and I would hope to see some renewed momentum soon. They can’t be blind to the serious uncertainty the proposals have created. I am sure that they must also be mindful of the need to attract wealthy individuals into the UK, to prevent their exodus from the UK, and to restore certainty. I expect some reliefs which will encourage inward investment in the context of these changes.
I also think that Labour would be missing an important trick if it didn’t also use this as an oppor-
tunity to encourage the British diaspora to return to the UK. Arguably, there is much more to be gained by welcoming British expatriates and other foreign investors home with a broad package of tax incentives, than by penalising foreigners just because they have chosen to make their longer-term homes in the UK.
Income Tax
Labour has committed to not raising Income Tax rates during the next Parliament. Personal tax allowances will remain frozen at least for the moment, and they have been silent on the level of the Personal Allowance and Income Tax Thresholds. This may be telling.
Capital Gains Tax
Labour has been silent about Capital Gains Tax (CGT), leading many to believe that they will align the CGT rates to Income Tax rates. They have already announced that certain Private Equity performance rewards will switch from Capital Gains Tax to Income Tax. Capital Gains Tax is one of only a small number of Personal Tax levers that they have left themselves to pull.
Inheritance Tax
Equally, Labour has been surprisingly silent on the question of Inheritance Tax. I expect them to remove or limit some of the more common reliefs. They might even go as far as to abolish the exemption from Inheritance Tax of unused pensions at death. Otherwise, I do not expect them to increase the rate of Inheritance Tax, although we might see an extension of the Nil Rate Band to compensate for the above.
National Insurance
Labour has also pledged not to increase the rate of National Insurance during the next Parliament.
Corporation Tax
Labour has promised to cap Corporation Tax at 25%, the present top rate. This implies to me that they might increase the starting rate of 19%, and perhaps introduce a flat 25% rate for investment holding companies.
Labour has said that it will increase the surcharge paid by Non-Resident purchasers of Residential Property in England and Northern Ireland by 1% to 3% per band. Expect to see this in an Autumn Budget.
Value Added Tax and Pensions
Labour has pledged not to increase the Standard Rate of VAT, which is currently set at 20%. They will proceed to bring Private School fees into VAT at this rate, which I expect to see in an Autumn Budget. Labour mentioned that it will undertake a review of the pensions landscape (whatever that means). It has, however, confirmed that it will not re-introduce the Lifetime Allowance Charge that the Conservatives abolished in the 2023 Budget. They will preserve the Triple Lock for the State Retirement Pension.
Other Tax Measures
Labour plans to renew focus on combatting aggressive tax avoidance, particularly by large businesses and will allocate GBP 855m to HM Revenue & Customs for this. It intends to replace Business Rates with a ‘new fairer system’, and it plans to introduce a Windfall Tax on Oil and Gas Giants. It is also widely speculated that Labour may introduce some form of Wealth Taxation at some point during the Parliament. Their Manifesto was understandably silent on this highly controversial point though.
In Conclusion
I see very little to make me think that Labour will be a low-tax party. The burden only looks as though it will rise. However, with the trust of 10 million voters to vindicate and a raft of important policies to implement in a transformational way, there is a real fiscal tightrope to be walked over the next 5 years.
I can’t help but be reminded of how Jean Baptiste Colbert once famously said that “the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least amount of hissing”.
We should know a little more about how the Government intends to set about this task with the King’s Speech at the Opening of Parliament on 17th July, and in what is almost certain to be an Autumn Budget.
Spice Taxation is a Singapore-based independent UK taxation practice for Private Clients, specialising in the needs of British expatriates, those with financial and personal ties to the UK, and those seeking to relocate to or invest in the UK.
If you would like to discuss your own circumstances in confidence or would like to be on the subscriber list for our new dedicated coverage of these breaking developments, please contact Martin at martin@spicetaxation.com or by sending a Whatsapp to +65 96650019.
Visit https://spicetaxation.com for more information.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN APAC: WHICH INFORMATION SOURCES DO CONSUMERS TRUST THE MOST?
Where do consumers across different APAC markets turn to when looking for information to aid their health and well-being?
By Samuel Tan, APAC Data Journalist, YouGov
Who do consumers in APAC trust to provide them with reliable information to aid their health and well-being? A recent YouGov study across 17 international markets sheds light on the extent to which consumers look to medical practitioners versus healthcare companies, personal trainers versus fitness influencers for advice on health and wellness.
How does trust in various sources of health and wellness information vary across APAC markets?
Latest research from YouGov Surveys has found that a significantly higher proportion of consumers in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore consider social media influencers a reliable source of information on health and wellness, compared to the international average across the 17 markets polled.
Close to two-fifths of consumers in Hong Kong (38%), over a third in Indonesia (36%) and a fifth in Singapore (21%) said they find at least some health and wellness information offered by social media influencers to be trustworthy – compared to just a sixth (16%) of consumers internationally.
Consumers in Hong Kong and Indonesia are also significantly more likely to look to their friends/family and pharmaceutical companies for health and wellness advice.
Over half of consumers in Hong Kong (51%) and two-fifths of consumers in Indonesia (40%) said they trust health-related information provided by family/friends, compared to just a third (33%) internationally.
Meanwhile, almost a third of consumers in Hong Kong (31%) and a quarter of consumers in Indonesia (26%) would find pharmaceutical companies to be a reliable source of health information, compared to less than barely a fifth (19%) internationally.
On the flip side, only 59% of Hong Kong consumers say they thought medical practitioners are a reliable source of health information, noticeably lower than the 65% average internationally.
Meanwhile, consumers in Australia are significantly more likely to trust medical practitioners (75%) and gym trainers (30%) – compared to 65% and 26% on average internationally.
Singapore: How does trust in various sources of health and wellness information vary across generations?
A markedly higher proportion of Gen Z consumers (44%) would regard their gym/personal trainer as a reliable source of health information – compared to less than a third among older consumers.
A similar age-based pattern can be observed for trust in social media influencers in providing reliable health information. While a quarter of younger Gen Z (28%) and Millennial (24%) consumers would trust a health influencer on social media, and around a fifth of Gen X (22%) and eighth of Baby Boomers (12%) say the same.
Indonesia: How does trust in various sources of health and wellness information vary across generations?
Most Indonesians across generations regard medical practitioners as a reliable source of health information. Three-quarters of Gen X said they trust a medical practitioner (76%) – a significantly higher proportion than Millennials (63%) and Gen Z (61%).
Gen X is also significantly more likely to trust health information provided by friends and family – over half indicated so (52%) compared to 42% of Millennials and 32% of Gen Z.
On the other hand, Gen Z consumers in Indonesia said they are much more likely to trust their gym/ personal trainer (35%) to provide reliable health information.
Australia: How does trust in various sources of health and wellness information vary across generations?
While most Australians across generations regard medical practitioners as a reliable source of health information, Baby Boomers are significantly more likely to think so (84%). Gen Z is significantly less likely to trust medical practitioners for health information (65%).
Meanwhile, Millennials are significantly more likely than other generations to consider their gym/personal trainer (38%) and social media influencers (29%) as reliable sources of health information.
Hong Kong: How does trust in various sources of health and wellness information vary across generations?
While most Gen X (61%) and Millennials (53%) in Hong Kong would regard medical practitioners as a reliable source of health information, less than half of Gen Z (48%) said the same.
Millennials are significantly more likely than other generations to trust their gym/personal trainer (35%) to provide reliable health information.
Meanwhile, when it comes to health and wellness information offered by social media influencers, close to half of younger consumers from Gen Z (48%) and Millennials (46%) would consider them to be reliable, compared to less than two-fifths of Gen X (38%).
Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 17 markets with sample sizes varying between 510 and 2,044 for each market. All surveys were conducted online during January 2024. Data from each market uses a nationally representative sample apart from Mexico and India, which use urban representative samples, and Indonesia and Hong Kong, which use online representative samples. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced
YouGov is an international online research data and analytics technology group. Our innovative solutions help the world’s most recognised brands, media owners and agencies to plan, activate and track their marketing activities better. For further information, visit business.yougov.com
