Orient Issue 50

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Contents 7

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

9

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE SPECIAL FEATURE

12

Patron’s Message

14

Reflections from the Past

FEATURES 26

The Ties that Bind

30

Here by Choice: Rise of the Economic Nomad

34

The Power of Partnership

AT THE CHAMBER 38

Britain in South East Asia News

40

Business Services News

42

Business Group News

50

Sterling News

52

Corporate News

56

BritCham New Members

57

Members’ Offers

58

Events

70

Events Calendar

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Sponsors PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD AND DIVERSITY SPONSOR

SILVER AND BREAKFAST CLUB SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

BRITCHAM BOARD: PRESIDENT: Hugo Walkinshaw: Deloitte Consulting SE Asia VICE-PRESIDENTS: Damian Adams: Simmons & Simmons Mark Buchan: Ernst & Young Solutions LLP SECRETARY: Chris Kilburn: Watson, Farley & Williams Asia Practice LLP TREASURER: Dominic Nixon: PricewaterhouseCoopers BOARD MEMBERS: Andrew Vine: The Insight Bureau Pte Ltd Peter Hatt: Standard Chartered Bank Ian Williams: HSBC Bank Robert Williams: British Airways Terence Yuen: BP Singapore Bicky Bhangu: Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd Ronald Totton: BT Singapore Sian Brown: Barclays Bank PLC Rudi Geerdink: The Royal Bank of Scotland David MacDonald: Portfolio Builders Andrew Thomas: Ogilvy & Mather Singapore Pte Ltd David Pugh: The Fry Group Richard Warbuton: EC Harris Annabel Moore: Diageo Singapore Pte Ltd Judith Slater: British High Commission Roland Davis: British Council

Editor: Vipanchi vipanchi@britcham.org.sg

Orient is a bi-monthly magazine published by the British Chamber of Commerce.

Content Coordinator: Clara Tan

© All rights reserved.

138 Cecil Street, #13-03 Cecil Court, Singapore 069538 Tel: +65 6222-3552 Fax: +65 6222-3556 Email: info@britcham.org.sg www.britcham.org.sg

COMMITTEES: Diversity: Simon Croxford Events: Mark Buchan External Affairs: Steve Puckett Membership: Damian Adams Sustainability & Responsibility: Rosie Danyluk BUSINESS GROUP CHAIRPERSONS: Energy & Utilities: Damian Adams Entrepreneur & Small Business: Peter Seligman Financial Services: Gary Haran Doyle IT & Communications Technology: Henry Farahar Leadership: Peter Hatt Creative Industries: Frazer Macdonald Hay Professional Services: Martin Riddett Property & Construction: Richard Warburton Scottish Business Group: Neil Melnnes Shipping Transport & Logistics: Neil Johnson Women in Business: Sian Brown Young British Chamber: Zoë Marmot MANAGEMENT TEAM Executive Director: Brigitte Holtschneider Finance Manager: Pauline Yeo Business Services Manager: Jennifer Hainsworth Events Manager: Alexandra Packman Membership Manager: Katie Hudson Marketing & Communications Manager: Vipanchi Membership & Events Assistant Manager: Emi Hosono Marketing & Communications Executive: Clara Tan Business Services Advisor: Umagliya Kankanangai Tina Business Services Advisor: Jared Sim Office Administration Executive: Anna C Garciso

The views and opinions expressed or implied in Orient are those of the authors or contributors and do not reflect those of the British Chamber of Commerce, its officers or editorial staff.

No reproduction of articles without the prior permission of the Chamber.

Unsolicited transparencies and articles are sent at owner’s own risk and the

Chamber accepts no liability for loss or damage. Copy is not for sale and images belong to their respective owners. They are for illustrative purposes only, and no copyright infringement is intended.

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President’s Message

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Dear Members, As we look back on the Chamber’s journey through the last six decades, this issue of the Orient commemorates a success story that continues to forge strong and sustainable business links between Singapore and Britain. Established in 1954, then known as the United Kingdom Manufacturers Association, the British Chamber of Commerce has transformed remarkably in tandem with Singapore’s own journey from being a young underdeveloped nation to a flourishing first-world metropolis.

The Chamber owes its success to four significant pillars: Firstly, our already excellent partnership with UKTI and the High Commission, which has taken another step forward with the launch of our Business Services for UK SMEs late last year, and our recent accreditation by the British Chambers of Commerce, London, has further reinforced our credibility as a business services provider. I thank His Excellency Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to Singapore and Judith Slater, the Deputy High Commissioner, Director of Trade & Investment, as well as their teams for the strong support and partnership.

Secondly, the continuous support from our sponsors over the years has allowed us to bring a variety of platforms to our members to network and learn through our business groups and events.

Hugo Walkinshaw

President, British Chamber of Commerce

Thirdly, our members, who not only participate in our events but also volunteer their time and efforts to provide direction to the Chamber through the Board, Committees and Business Group platforms.

Last but not the least, the dynamic management team led by Brigitte Holtschneider, Executive Director, who ensures the smooth running of the Chamber’s day-to-day activities.

The 60th Anniversary is an accomplishment that belongs to everyone associated with the Chamber and I am very grateful to all who have contributed in the past and continue to support us.

The 60th Anniversary will resonate across the year’s flagship and regular events. In the horizon is the Annual Business Awards, which is now in its 15th year and a milestone in itself. The Awards has grown to become one of the most popular business events in Singapore. I look forward to seeing you at the Awards Gala Dinner, which will be hosted at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore on 1 Oct. Best regards,

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Executive Director’s Message

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Dear members, I hope you had a relaxing summer break and look forward to the upcoming busy and productive months in the second half of 2014.

It is my great pleasure to present to you the Jubilee Orient, a special edition of our bi-monthly magazine that commemorates the Chamber’s 60th Anniversary in Singapore.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 60th Anniversary sponsors, such as RBS, BP, Cognita, British Council Singapore, Deloitte, Rolls-Royce and Taylor Vinters. I would also like to thank Novus Media Solutions, who supports us in the production of the magazine, as well as their special feature on the Chamber’s history and future. And a big “Thank You” to Vipanchi, BritCham’s Marketing and Communications Manager, whose main focus over the last weeks has been to steer and oversee the production of this special book.

BritCham was founded in 1954 as United Kingdom Manufacturers Representative Association.

In 1974, the Association renamed itself the British Business Association (BBA). Apparently, at that time, the title “Chamber of Commerce” was not permitted by the Government. This restriction was eased over time with the creation of the Japanese and American Chambers and hence, in 1998, the BBA renamed itself the British Chamber of Commerce.

Brigitte Holtschneider

Executive Director, British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore

For 60 years, BritCham has been a powerful catalyst for stronger business links between Singapore and Britain. A key strength is our diverse and inclusive network from large multinationals to small, owner-managed enterprises, comprising British, International and Singaporean businesses. Another important success factor is our excellent relationship with the British High Commission and the UK Trade and Investment team whose support has been instrumental in the development of the Chamber.

To date, Membership has grown to 400 Corporate members, with a network of over 2,600 executives.

We are proud of the rich history we have in Singapore, and we will work on further growing the Chamber in size, reach and offerings to benefit you, our members.

To illustrate our development, I would like to mention a few milestones achieved in the recent past: • We are a founding member of BiSEA (Britain in South East Asia) in 2008; BiSEA is a network of British Chambers and Business Groups in the ASEAN markets offering members regional connections • We have been part of the UKTI pilot project Headstart since 2011, offering Overseas membership to UK companies interested in building closer connections to Singapore and allowing us to forge ties with Regional Chambers of Commerce in the UK • We are part of the UK Government’s Overseas Business Network Initiative (OBNI), which was launched in 2012 • We are now offering Business Services to UK SMEs who want to trade and invest in Singapore in 2013 • In Apr 2014, we became the first Overseas British Chamber to achieve full accreditation by the British Chambers of Commerce Enjoy browsing the magazine!

My closing remark is reserved for the ultimate party celebrating our 60th Anniversary at the Great BritCham Ball, which will take place on 6 Dec. I hope to see you all there!

Best wishes

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Sterling Members

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

SINGAPORE

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Special Feature

60TH ANNIVERSARY

PATRON’S MESSAGE

I

t may just be me, but when thinking about how best to mark significant anniversaries I often find myself reflecting on how the world has changed during the period in question.

It feels more than usually pertinent to do so when commemorating 60 years of UK business representation in Singapore given Singapore’s own history as a trading nation, and the UK’s strong, indeed unique, links with this country over not just 60, but almost 200 years.

Back in 1954, the UK was still dealing with the economic impact of the Second World War. Indeed it was only that year that rationing formally ended and even then the economic effects would continue for some time.

Here in Singapore, the effects of the war years were also playing out, and not just economically but also socially and politically with the first moves towards elections and self-rule that ultimately led to Singapore’s independence in 1965.

It was in 1954 that the United Kingdom Manufacturers Representatives Association was formed. In 1974 it became the British Business Association and then, in 1998 the British Chamber of Commerce. Which is why we have been celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Chamber this year, including with this special edition of the Orient.

As I look back at Singapore 1954, two things strike me.

One is, of course, how much has changed. Physically and economically this is a very different country.

The visitor from 1954 would not believe it was the same place.

But, at the same time, there is much that has not changed. The commitment to free trade and export oriented manufacturing, a focus on the highest quality of education provision, a focus on diversification, then to move away from dependence on rubber, these are all common to the Singapore of then and now.

Other, more challenging issues, are also not new. Addressing the impact of immigration, and the impact on local communities. Concern about developments in the global economy and, as a genuine trading hub reliant on the free flow of commerce, about the consequences of tensions elsewhere. These are common themes through the decades.

What is also a constant is the sense of admiration for those who have planned and guided Singapore’s development through this period. In my three and a bit years here we have had a steady stream of visitors looking to learn from Singapore’s experience in creating one of the world’s ultimate smart cities, its

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

We have had a steady stream of visitors looking to learn from Singapore’s experience in creating one of the world’s top smart cities, its emphasis on greening the metropolis while constructing some of the most iconic buildings in the region, and its continued commitment to openness, competitiveness and innovation. emphasis on greening the city at the same time as putting up some of the most iconic buildings in the region. And its continued commitment to openness, competitiveness and innovation.

In large part, our interest in this is because we feel that the UK shares both these aims and has capabilities to help Singapore deliver them. At a recent lunch looking over Marina Bay the representatives from some of our leading engineering consultancies were able to tell a story about their involvement in a host of buildings whether it was the Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, the Sports Hub or the Supreme Court.

Less visible, but no less important, is the success of UK firms in the various MRT and public transport expansions. And that’s before you get to the role here of our energy companies, universities and a host of world leaders in other sectors.

The British Chamber of Commerce represents them all. I can think of few people I know here who are not members, unless they are very new in which case they soon become members. That’s not out of any sense of obligation or even altruism, it’s because the Chamber offers them quality products in the form of networking events and other forms of business support.

In the case of business support, that has taken on a whole new aspect through the Overseas Business Network initiative, in partnership with UK Trade & Investment. As I have said many times, the Chamber is leading the way on this, both by being the first to achieve key milestones like accreditation from the UK Chambers of Commerce, or the contribution that Brigitte Holtschneider has made to the development of the programme itself.

That sense of partnership between HMG and the Chamber is also something that I rather imagine has changed. I cannot comment on how “commercial diplomacy” was carried out in 1954 but I very much doubt that it was the same as how we do it today. One thing I do know is that there were no events at Eden Hall, because we didn’t own it then!

In short, in 2014 we are very clear that our role is to help business win, and it’s for that reason that we see the partnership with the Chamber as so important. On behalf of all of my colleagues at the High Commission, I wish you all the best on your 60th Anniversary.

HE Antony Phillipson High Commissioner British High Commission, Singapore

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Special Feature

REFLECTIONS FROM THE

PAST This special feature reflects on how an organisation once known as the United Kingdom Manufacturing Representatives Association has transformed into the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, which we are familiar with today. Orient speaks to four past Presidents of the Chamber for their views on how the Chamber has grown and blossomed through the years.

A

s the stage is being set to celebrate Singapore’s 50th anniversary next year, it is indeed important to reflect on the transformation of this Little Red Dot. Half a century is a relatively short time for any nation to develop, mature and evolve into an economic powerhouse.

Yet, judging by the city-state’s significance in the regional and global markets today, Singapore is a resounding success story.

Celebrating its own 60th anniversary this year, the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, has witnessed Singapore’s astonishing growth through the years.

The Chamber has been a catalyst in forging strong and sustainable business ties between Singapore and the UK; whether in the fields of energy and utilities, financial services, info-comm technology, the creative industries, property and construction, shipping, logistics and transport or small businesses, it is clear that the bond between the Chamber and Singapore runs deep.

A Shared Past

Singapore and the UK are linked by more than two centuries of shared history; it is a longstanding friendship underpinned by substantial mutual interests. That enduring goodwill has manifested itself in the excellent cooperation between the two countries across a range of fields, from defence and culture to education and research. Even the stunning skyline of Singapore—which includes the now iconic Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Sports Hub and Gardens by the Bay—owes a debt to numerous British architects and engineering firms that had a hand in their design and construction.

Economy-wise, both the UK and Singapore have remained robust and resilient. The UK is one of Singapore’s largest trading partners in Europe, and the total trade value between them has increased by nearly 60% over the past decade. Also, Singapore is the recipient of the significant contribution made by the more than 30,000 British nationals

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

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Special Feature: Reflections from the Past

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Winners of 14th Annual Business Awards with Guest of Honour, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mrs Josephine Teo; British High Commissioner, HE Antony Phillipson; and Chamber President Hugo Walkinshaw.

I suggested that we also do our bit to contribute to the Singapore economy by highlighting the foreign SMEs, because many of them are quite entrepreneurial. So we set up a business award, the British SME Award, which eventually morphed into the Annual Business Awards.

and 3,000 British companies that call Singapore home.

At the heart of it all is the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, which has been playing a pivotal role in raising the profile of British companies here and facilitating business opportunities for companies in both countries. However, it has not always been an easy path, as both the Chamber and Singapore have seen their fair share of upheavals and downturns.

The Chamber, In Retrospect

Today, the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, has more than 400 Corporate Members and more than 2,500 Employee Members, a significant increase over the past 10 years. Although data from 1954 is unavailable, the Chamber has grown from strength to strength from the outset. However, it has not always been smooth sailing.

Just 16 short years ago, Asia was experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis that swept across the continent.

With its deep ties to the business community here, the then British Business Association was impacted significantly as well.

Shanker Iyer (1999-2004) was elected President right around the time when the Asian financial crisis was at its height. The Chamber had a crisis of its own. Shanker and his team had the herculean task of avoiding the storm and steering the organisation back on track. “When I took over, the Chamber required some stability and financial discipline,” Shanker recalls. “That actually gave us the boost to grow the Chamber because, in a crisis, people tend to pull together. So all of us got together and we actually formulated detailed strategies to revive the Chamber, to get more members, to get more sponsorship, to get more income and create a new premium class of membership.”

A key challenge that the organisation addressed was changing the perception of the Association in the hearts and minds of UK businesses operating in Singapore. “One of the first things we did was to rebrand the BBA as a Chamber of Commerce, which gave it a bit more clout and made it more serious than just an association. The foundation we established at that time continues to prevail even today,” reveals Shanker.

Aside from solidifying the foundation financially and with committed board members, Shanker also wanted to champion foreign small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It was considered a

Annual Business Awards The British Chamber of Commerce has been holding the Annual Business Awards for more than a decade. The Awards were conceived to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements across the various sectors where British businesses were active within the Singapore business community. Over the last 14 years, the Awards have expanded and evolved, supported and encouraged by sponsors, participants and winners.

Today, we are proud to say that we are the only international Chamber of Commerce in Singapore that hands out awards in recognition of outstanding achievements across nine different categories covering all platforms and sectors. Through the Annual Business Awards, we hope to continue building networks, connecting businesses and creating opportunities for our members.

Building Networks Connecting Business Creating Opportunities

Their Finest Hour The four former Chamber Presidents to whom Orient spoke share the finest moments of their respective tenures.

Shanker Iyer I think the one that really gave us a thrill was when we had the 50th anniversary celebration 10 years ago. We said, “Let’s be ambitious and have then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew as the Guest of Honour,” and he accepted our invitation. For us, it was probably the proudest moment because he was there, I was on stage with him, and almost a thousand of us were there, too.

That was the culmination of what we were doing, and I think all of us were quite chuffed.

Terry O’Connor The proudest moment for me was being able to hand over the baton to a worthy successor with the Chamber in record membership both in terms of companies and individuals, record financial health and having a stable and very successful management team. Certainly the smartest thing I ever did as a Chamber President was to recruit Brigitte Holtschneider, the Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore.

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Special Feature: Reflections from the Past revolutionary idea at that time since it was commonly considered that big corporations were needed to anchor the Chamber’s finances. “Back then, I was serving foreign companies coming into Singapore in my professional capacity, and I myself used to represent a foreign company here before starting my own practice. I suggested that we also do our bit by highlighting the foreign SMEs’ contribution to Singapore, because many of them are quite entrepreneurial. So we set up the British Chamber SME Award, which eventually morphed into the Annual Business Awards,” says Shanker. Fifteen years on, the Annual Business Awards [see sidebar] is now one of Singapore’s most prestigious business events that celebrates and acknowledges the achievements of businesses and provides them with a platform to gain better recognition.

Expanding the Horizon

In 2006, Terry O’Connor (2006–2010) succeeded Jonathan Asherson (2004–2006) as President of the Chamber. By then, Singapore’s economy was back on track.

Having found a firm footing financially, it was time for the Chamber to expand its horizons.

The first order of business was to forge better relations with its regional counterparts. “We created an organisation called BiSEA, or Britain in Southeast Asia, which replaced the old Britain in Asia Pacific,” explains Terry. By pulling the different Chambers together, BiSEA managed to build a stronger business network in the region and facilitated the interests of the members of the British Chambers and Business Groups.

It was around this time that the Chamber, under Terry’s leadership, decided to grow its membership, penetrate beyond the CEO and CFO level and increase the number of individuals connected to the Chamber. “We restructured the membership packages to have more Sterling memberships, allow unlimited staff from these companies, and then encourage more companies to join us.

So, from that BiSEA engagement and from sharing best practice, we really extended the headcount that was engaged through the Chamber. Although company growth continued to increase, individual member growth was explosive,” he reveals.

The growth in Corporate and Individual membership during this time was, in fact, one of the key reasons why the Chamber was able to remain steadfast during the second wave of financial crisis around 2008. “I remember travel being curtailed and expenses being cut, so we had more people coming to our events and looking for guidance and advice,” Terry recalls.

“We were therefore able to have all sorts of learning, sharing and networking with other companies.” In a curious way, the financial crisis opened up the Chamber to more opportunities, thus pushing it to even greater heights.

The Chamber Today

Today, the Chamber is well positioned to facilitate business between the UK and Singapore. Within the Chamber, the diversity of members ranges from the largest multinationals to small ownermanaged enterprises, representing the best of British and Singaporean talent, goods and services. Furthermore, the Chamber has a deeper member engagement than ever before, something that Steve Puckett (2010–2013) championed.

Over the last decade, the Chamber has facilitated efforts in establishing ties between Singapore, the British High Commission and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). “The Chamber grew to be more business-focused and addressed business issues. It became more closely linked with UKTI and we linked the business agendas of the Chamber and the UK as a whole,” Steve describes. This meant that UK businesses coming to Singapore now have an immediate business-to-business available connection from the outset.

On the UK front, the Chamber provided a successful platform from which Singaporean companies could expand in the UK. “It’s important to have Singaporean companies that invest in Britain engaged with the Chamber because they bring a unique perspective,” Steve insists. This is important because, British companies do not look to join a Chamber just to meet other British businesses. “They want business opportunities to expand into different markets and they want to be able to network as widely as possible”

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Steve Puckett Having lived in Asia for nearly 30 years and built businesses using the best of the resources at my disposal—part of the essence of doing business in Asia—I brought that mindset to my tenure as President from the outset. I looked at the resources available, looked at the needs we had as a Chamber and matched that with the vision I shared with the Board and the potential I believed was there, focusing resources where they were needed the most in an effort to build on the success of my predecessors.

Hugo Walksinshaw The first and foremost is to have the chance to take over. I was delighted to be invited by Steve Puckett and the High Commissioner to take on the role—it was something I thought I’d rise to later in my career, when I was a bit older. Another is being the first Chamber to be accredited under the new joint UKTI initiative.

And we were the first to launch Business Services successfully; from what I understand, we are seen to be a role model for British Chambers globally, so having achieved that during the first year of my term was pretty cool.

To that end, the Chamber, during Steve’s tenure, secured some of Singapore’s biggest corporate names, such as Keppel, Wing Tai and the City Developments Limited, continuing to widen the Chamber’s local business presence.

The Chamber of the Future

Hugo Walkinshaw, the 44-year-old incumbent President, is the youngest in the Chamber’s history. It has only been a little over a year since he took over the helm in May 2013, but he has already been instrumental in introducing numerous initiatives.

In Jun 2013, the Chamber successfully launched ‘Business Services,’ a new addition to the existing Chamber services catering to small companies from the UK coming to Singapore. “Our first piece of work was in Oct 2013. Now, we have a full-time team who are already servicing small companies out of the UK that are coming into Singapore and the region,” Hugo reports. In fact, the way Business Services was launched was a role model for other Chambers around the world.

Hugo has big dreams for the Chamber’s future. “I think, in a decade, we will have

a very different style of operation in the Chamber, and I think we’re beginning to see that shift now,” he affirms. “We’ve been a non-profit organisation, we’ve been somewhat administrative and very focused around planning events. I think, in 10 years’ time, we will be much more focused on professional Business Services and content knowledge management; we’ll be much more than the non-profit organisation we are now.”

So what does the future hold for Singapore, the UK and the Chamber? For now, it would seem like the ties can be further cultivated as the UK looks increasingly eastward in its foreign and trade policies. Foreign Secretary William Hague stated when he delivered the Fullerton lecture in Singapore in 2012 that “long-term engagement with Asia is not an option for us; it is an imperative.” For the UK and Singapore to succeed, an enduring partnership remains essential, particularly in the face of challenges both old and new.

The future looks bright for the Chamber. With record numbers of Corporate and Individual members today, the Chamber has never been in better shape to serve the interests of its members, be they companies or individuals.

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Special Feature: Reflections from the Past

MEMBER TESTIMONIALS Three current members share how being part of an inclusive business community such as BritCham has benefited them and their respective organisations.

M

oving your business to a new country is challenging enough, what more a new continent. It is imperative that firms, especially SMEs, get their names out there within a relatively short period of time, especially in a business-savvy and crowded market such as Singapore.

However, not every firm interested in setting up shop in Singapore has the resources to do so right from the get-go.

Take Olswang for example, a British law firm with interests in the telecommunication, media and technology industries. When Olswang decided to set up shop in Asia—its first foray into the continent—Rob Bratby, the Managing Partner, was put in charge of the project. At that time, even though Olswang already had a firm footing in the UK and had offices around Europe, moving to Singapore was still daunting. “It’s a very crowded market in Singapore,” explains Rob. “There are more than 130 international law firms plus some very strong local firms.” That is why, for Olswang Asia to succeed quickly, it needed to get its name known and connect to the right

people—and that is where the Chamber proved useful.

A Place to Network

With currently more than 400 Corporate Members and more than 2,500 Employee Members, the Chamber is all about creating opportunities, providing member companies with practical support and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise. For an up-and-coming UK company that is looking to start up in Singapore, the opportunities that the Chamber provides are invaluable.

When Rob finally launched Olswang Asia in 2011, both the British High Commission and UKTI strongly recommended that he join the Chamber. “It was helpful for us because the Chamber not only has potential clients, it’s allowed us to meet people in a similar position, people who share information and market insights and help us understand what does and does not succeed in the market here. So it’s been incredibly successful,” he reports.

Margaret Manning, the Chief Executive Officer of Reading Room, a digital creative agency, echoes that sentiment. Before setting up her digital consultancy here in 2011, Magaret was looking for an organisation that

linked up people with similar business interests. Not long after Reading Room opened in Singapore, she caught wind of the Chamber’s work from business contacts here. “We joined initially because of the recommendations we had that it was the best organisation to join to meet people in similar business. We stayed as members when we realised that this was an understatement.”

Establishing Connections

For Rob, joining the Chamber has gained Olswang Asia access to some of its biggest clients today. For example, Vodafone, one of the biggest telecommunication companies in the UK, is now working closely with Olswang Asia to target the Asia-Pacific market. The firm is also working with software giant Microsoft, which, although an American company, has a significant number of British staff who are members of the Chamber. One of Olswang Asia’s latest achievements, thanks to relations established in the Chamber, was being involved in the sale of Asian Food Channel to Scripps Networks. “As a new entrant to the market and wanting to get ourselves

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

established and wanting to know people, the Chamber has really helped us build our business,” says Rob. Paul Supramaniam, the current Chairman of Law Asia, has been attending Chamber-related events since 1992. As a UK-born Singaporean, even though he has had few problems doing business with Singaporean companies and expressing British perspectives here, the opportunities that the Chamber provided still opened many doors for him. In fact, when he formally joined as a member, the veteran lawyer was pleasantly surprised by the multitude of industries that he could connect with. “There was actually a business dimension to the Chamber that was particularly attractive, which I was not aware of in the past,” reveals Paul.

“There was a strong British business presence in Singapore, and they were active in sectors that I hadn’t necessarily been familiar with, such

as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, soft services and financial services.”

Looking back on his membership, Paul has only praise for how the Chamber has helped his business. “As a result of the Chamber, I started interacting with key decision makers of those organisations in Singapore and that actually widened my scope of friendships and access, and gave me a far better perspective of British business in Singapore,” he reveals.

An Inclusive Approach

The value of the Chamber does not stop with UK-based companies in Singapore, either. One of the key missions of the Chamber is to provide a diverse and inclusive network to build opportunities not just for British businesses, but international and local organisations in Singapore with ties to British business as well. Today, some of Singapore’s biggest homegrown companies are also members of the Chamber—and for good reasons,

too. “With the right quality of people coming here, that’s good for the Singapore economy because it creates jobs,” Paul asserts. “So the more British businesses that come here to invest, the better it is for Singapore as a whole.” Furthermore, a better working relationship between the UK and Singapore is likely to lead to better opportunities for Singaporeans. When asked about how locals can benefit from the Chamber, he adds, “Having been born in Britain, having very close ties with Britain and having studied there, I feel a tremendous fondness and connection with the country that helped educate me and train me to be a lawyer.”

By enabling UK-based businesses to establish quality connections here and enabling Singaporean companies to widen their international footprint, the Chamber has created an ideal win-win environment for all parties.

22

Building Networks Connecting Business Creating Opportunities

Special Feature: Reflections from the Past

BY THE NUMBERS Total Membership Year

*as of May 2014

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014*

Employee Members

672

843

1,109

1,202

1,275

1,627

2,231

2,548

Corporate Members

306

321

303

320

344

360

380

401

Membership

264

241

Members ENERGY & UTILITIES

ENTREPRENEUR & SMALL BUSINESS

268

904

Members LEADERSHIP IN ASIA

Members PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

94 YOUNG BRITISH CHAMBER

Members CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Members IT & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

210

209

Members PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION

285

Members

379

1,109 Members

Members

Members SHIPPING, TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

52

70

Members SCOTTISH BUSINESS GROUP

Members WOMEN IN BUSINESS

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Total Number of Business Groups

2007

Types of Business Services ADVISORY SERVICES

2014

6 12

MISSIONS

BUSINESS MATCHING

MARKET STUDIES

(as of May 2014)

KNOWLEGDE EXCHANGE

EVENTS

Total Number of Events (2007–2014) Year

*as of May 2014

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014*

Total number of events organised

43

44

54

65

65

82

81

55

Key Business Events (2007–2014) 1

ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS

1 1 5

LUNCH (LEADERS IN BUSINESS, BG)

13 6 13

BF CLUB/ UKTI BRIEFING/ SPECIAL BRIEFING

36 34 6

NETWORKING/ EVENING PRESENTATION

5 15 0

5

10

15

20

25

NO. OF EVENTS ORGANISED

2007

2010

2013

30

35

40

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24

Special Feature: Reflections from the Past — Sponsors’ Messages

PLATINUM SPONSOR

With trade ties established more than 200 years ago, the extensive network of trade and investment links between the UK and Singapore are well established. Over the years, Singaporean corporates have built a major presence in Britain and more than 700 British companies have set up operations in Singapore.

As a bank with a strong UK heritage, RBS is proud to have played a role in many of these business relationships. Having been in Singapore for 156 years, RBS has supported Singaporean corporates investing in the UK as well as British businesses coming to Singapore with loans, trade facilities, cash management and foreign exchange products.

This is why RBS is delighted to be celebrating the Chamber’s 60th anniversary this year as its platinum sponsor. With a global network across 38 countries, RBS’s support is a natural extension of our role to connect corporate and financial institution clients across UK to Singapore and Asia.

As the UK and Singapore look to extend its cooperation and partnerships in the financial services sector, we look forward to continue our partnership with BCC in the years ahead.

Rudi Geerdink Country Executive RBS Singapore

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SILVER SPONSORS BP is pleased to support the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, and congratulates them on 60 years of connecting businesses and creating opportunities.

BP is also celebrating: this year marks 50 successful years in Singapore. Over the decades, we have evolved from a refining and marketing business to become a knowledge and trading hub for the Asia-Pacific region.

We believe success comes from the energy of our people. Through living our values of Safety, Respect, Excellence, Courage and One Team, we create an inclusive working environment where everyone can make a difference and give their best. Our 700 staff are based at the HarbourFront office and the Tepong Marine Lubricants Blending plant in Jurong.

Today, BP’s main business activities in Singapore include the oil, gas, chemicals, carbon and finance trading for the Eastern Hemisphere, covering the Middle East, Southern & East Africa, Australia, India, Southeast Asia and China. It is also the regional headquarters for our Shipping, Fuels and Lubricants businesses, from which they serve international markets and customers.

BP looks forward to another successful 50 years in Singapore and beyond.

Congratulations to the British Chamber of Commerce on their 60 years in Singapore from everyone at the Australian International School. Having celebrated our own milestone of 20 years in 2013, we know what an important occasion this is. Best wishes for the future from us all.

Stamford American International School would like to congratulate the British Chamber of Commerce on serving the Singapore community for 60 years. We truly value our relationship with the BCC and understand the importance the Chamber has within Singapore and Asia. We wish you continued success for the future.

BRONZE SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

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26

Feature

The Ties That Bind

By Rhoda Severino Although they are close trade partners, the UK and Singapore are linked by more than economic ties. In fact, it may be the cultivation of areas beyond business that will tackle this relationship to the next stage.

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T

his year is not only the 60th anniversary of the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, it also marks the 195th anniversary of the founding of modern Singapore as a British port on the Straits of Malacca by the then governorgeneral of Bencoolen, Sir Stamford Raffles.

Just a few years after his arrival, he marvelled that “the active spirit of enterprise which prevails is truly astonishing, and for its extent, I believe I may safely say, that no part of the world exhibits a busier scene than the town and environs of Singapore.”

Sir Stamford Raffles’ words still describe Singapore remarkably well close to 200 years after he wrote them as the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and Singapore has only flourished since the 19th century.

From serving as a British-controlled entrepôt for tin, rubber and labour, Singapore has transformed itself into one of the major financial and shipping capitals of the world.

It is a S$9 billion export market for the UK, larger than even much bigger countries such as Australia and Turkey. Total trade value between the two countries has increased by nearly 60% over the past 10 years alone.

Singapore today is home to more than 30,000 British nationals and 700 British companies. Some UK-based firms are also some of the largest employers in Singapore.

The UK has even contributed to the Singapore skyline, with British architects and engineering firms playing a leading role in the construction of the now iconic Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Sports Hub and Gardens by the Bay. In terms of foreign direct investment, the UK is second only to China as the largest recipient of Singapore’s outward investment. The people-to-people partnership

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28

is strong too, with thousands of Singaporeans living, working and studying in the UK. The most recent Singapore Day event hosted in London’s Victoria Park was attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and attracted a crowd of more than 9,000.

Just as the UK is Singapore’s largest EU trading partner, Singapore is the UK’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and the first ASEAN member to begin and conclude negotiations with the EU for a bilateral free trade agreement. As the deadline for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community approaches, Singapore’s position as a global and regional hub for trade and investment will only become more significant, which the UK has recognised. Singapore is the gateway for the rapidly growing Southeast Asian region not only for the UK, but also for many other countries, and is a driving force for further trade integration and liberalisation in ASEAN.

Feature: The Ties That Bind

That the relationship extends far beyond the economic sphere is testament to the strength and long history of UK-Singapore ties. More than 50,000 international and Singapore resident students are studying for a UK higher education qualification in Singapore through distance learning and global campuses of British institutions, the second largest cohort in the world after Malaysia’s. And every year, thousands of Singaporean students go to the UK to pursue higher education; in fact, many in the highest ranks of Singapore government, business and academia received their training in the UK. These are rich links that can be cultivated further as the UK turns eastward in its foreign and trade policies. Foreign Secretary William Hague, in a 2012 Fullerton lecture in Singapore organised by the London-headquartered International Institute for Strategic Studies, has

categorically stated that “long-term engagement with Asia is not an option for us; it is an imperative.”

Prime Minister Lee, in his most recent visit to London earlier this year, drew many parallels between London and Singapore and their journey to becoming global financial powerhouses: both embraced cosmopolitanism, opening themselves to trade, investment and talent; both successfully identified emerging opportunities abroad, integrating themselves more closely with their respective regions and the global economy at large; and both placed themselves on the cutting edge of innovation, adopting new technologies and new approaches ahead of their competitors.

London has a longer heritage as a global capital for trade and finance, and Singapore examined its experience closely

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Singapore exports to UK, 2013 0%

Singapore exports from UK, 2013

1% 0%

1%

1%

0%

0% 0%

4%

0%

8%

9%

8% 14%

59%

18% 61%

16%

Food & live animals

Beverages & tobacco

Crude materials

Manufactured goods

Machinery & transport equipment

Others

as the city-state began to build itself up as a financial centre for the Asia Pacific.

But both cities and countries have much to learn from each other now as they face similar challenges both now and likely in the future. Like the European Union before them, ASEAN member states are attempting to forge a single market while being wary of the pitfalls and unintended consequences that have so far emerged from the European project. As the UK wrestles with difficult questions of national identity, exemplified by the rise of the UK Independence Party and the

About the Author Rhoda Severino is a Senior Associate at the Asia Pacific regional office of Cicero Group, an integrated communications agency specialising in corporate PR, government

Mineral fuels & lubricant

movement for Scottish independence, Singapore, too, is reflecting on what it means to be Singaporean as the nation approaches its 50th birthday next year.

Neither country is exempted from the fierce debate on the widening gap between the rich and the poor that swept the world in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Sir Stamford Raffles displayed remarkable foresight nearly two centuries ago when he called Singapore “the emporium and pride of the East,� and urged leaders and

relations, digital communications and market research. Before joining Cicero, Rhoda was a research assistant at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

Animal & vegetable oils, fats & waves

Chemicals & related products

administrators of the time to cultivate it. An enduring strong partnership will remain essential in the continuing growth and development of Singapore and the UK, particularly in the face of challenges both old and new. As international trade linkages multiply all over the world, few will have the advantage of a relationship as old and as deep as the one between Singapore and the UK, the benefits of which both countries should continue to develop to their fullest potential.

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30

Feature

Here by Choice: Rise of the Economic Nomad

By Charles Ross More than ever, multinational companies are sending highly skilled expat workers overseas—but at what cost?

M

ultinational companies have always sent workers across the globe to take up positions that cannot be filled by the local workforce. Attracted by high salaries, appealing perks and valuable experience, skilled expat workers have typically been happy to serve their time abroad before returning home to continue their careers. Singapore, in particular, has always been a popular destination, with its multicultural environment, high standard of living and easy access to some of the best holiday destinations in Asia.

The number of skilled employees living outside of their home countries continues to rise, growing by 70% over the last decade.

However, this growth is increasingly driven by those who move abroad by choice, rather than by first-wave expatriates who were posted and repatriated at their employers’ discretion. To be sure, some may have gone abroad on an assignment and then chose to remain in the country to which they were posted. Others may have left home at a

young age to explore the world and never went home. All have been driven by the different lifestyles and better economic opportunities available outside their home countries.

While hard data is scarce, anecdotal evidence suggests that the population of such economic nomads is growing rapidly in Asia. It includes not only Western graduates and professionals who have found opportunities in the region, but also Asian nomads—moving, say, from India or the Philippines to Singapore or Hong Kong, or from South Korea to China. In a recent survey of more than 4,000 so-called multimarket professionals in Asia conducted for Telstra, more than half (56%) said they do not expect to be working in their home country in five years’ time and only onethird expects to have returned home.

The trend seems likely to continue as the need for talent in Asia’s fast-growing economies continues to accelerate, and

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32

Feature: Here by Choice: Rise of the Economic Nomad

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

employment conditions back home— especially for those from Western countries—remain tough.

In light of their intention to remain abroad, this population of economic nomads faces some challenging questions. First among them is how to raise their children. They have perhaps grown up with no strong connection to the cultures either of their parents or the country they live in. These ‘third-culture’ kids can struggle to establish their identities. Families are more likely to be split up: with some aspects of life in Asia challenging—notably pollution and skyrocketing costs for services such as education—some families have chosen to live apart, with the breadwinner (usually

About the Author Charles Ross is Senior Editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) where he drives thought leadership management research projects. Based in Singapore, with a focus on SouthEast Asia, the technology sector and his native Australia,

the father) remaining in Asia while the family relocates to the home country.

Another vexing issue is where to send children to university. If studying overseas, they are bound to find it difficult to adjust to life in a community that may be less cosmopolitan than the one they grew up in.

Another dilemma is where to retire.

While an economic nomad’s adoptive home might have good economic prospects, it might not be well-equipped to support ageing retirees. With the cost of private health insurance escalating, nomads who come from countries with well-developed public health systems will consider returning home. There are also

he presents EIU analysis to a variety of corporate audiences and news media.

Charles holds a Masters in Business Administration, focusing on strategy and macroeconomics, from the University of Oxford.

the issues of rapidly rising living costs in locations such as Singapore and Hong Kong, and where the children eventually choose to live.

A third question for consideration is how this style of living affects traditional networking, whether familial, social or professional. How do those living abroad maintain close ties with family and friends back home? Do they stay plugged in to professional networks even if they are long-term expats?

For economic nomads the professional benefits of living in Singapore are obvious.

What is less obvious is the impact this nomadic lifestyle will have on their retirement and the generations to come.

The Economist Intelligence Unit, through a programme of research, papers and events, is currently exploring this topic.

If you want to add to the conversation, please contact Charles Ross, Senior Editor in Singapore, at charlesross@ economist.com.

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Feature

The Power of Partnership A teacher recounts what it was like to conduct a training session for staff of a rural school in Bali.

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

E

ast Bali Cashews (EBC), a social enterprise that is Bali’s first largescale, environmentally friendly cashew processing facility, opened an early learning centre to offer children within the rural village of Desa Ban a comprehensive pre-elementary school education.

Exchange (IIX), a leader in development through impact investment, and global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). This partnership, in which KKR provided technical assistance to EBC’s business plan, enabled the company to raise US$900,000 in 2013.

EBC employees an opportunity to continue their work without concern for child care, which can empower these women and improve their livelihoods and those of their families,” added Rezal Kusumaatmadja, Chairman of EBC’s Board of Commissioners.

The Honorable Robert Blake, US Ambassador to Indonesia, was the Guestof-Honour at the launch. Also, he presided over the dedication of EBC’s factory expansion, which allows the company to provide nearly 100 additional jobs to a community where villagers’ average income is less than US$2 per day.

Nearly 90% of EBC’s employees are women who had never held formal, salaried employment before the company’s launch in 2012.

“The launch of the learning centre, named AnaKardia Kids, gives us the chance to enhance our work with the community even beyond what we are doing as a social enterprise. There is very limited schooling for pre-seven-year-old children in the area, so this centre gives these kids a chance for a brighter future,” said EBC founder Aaron Fishman.

“EBC, with the support of US investors, shows the positive impact US businesses and investors can bring to Indonesia,” said US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake.

“East Bali Cashews’ focus on building a sustainable business from an employment, environmental and social perspective is good for both Indonesia and investors.”

In a statement, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said, “I appreciate the effort given by the EBC team to create jobs and education at Ban Village. The government’s efforts to make ‘Prosperity in Bali’ a reality can best succeed with the participation and support from the companies who have the spirit and

The expansion and opening of the early learning centre follows EBC’s unique partnership with Impact Investment

The name for the centre comes from a combination of the words “Anacardia”, which is the genus name in Latin for cashew tree, and “Anak”, which means “Child” in Bahasa Indonesia.

“The early learning centre also gives

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36

awareness to promote Bali, through CSR programmes.”

Teachers from Singapore’s Stamford American International School – operated

by KKR’s portfolio partner Cognita – will volunteer their time to create lesson plans and will train the teachers at the centre twice per year. Cognita also donated supplies and playground equipment.

Partner schools in Bali will provide additional support for AnaKardia Kids. The Dyatmika School will offer teacher training and longterm mentoring on the Indonesian Literacy

Feature: The Power of Partnership

Project and Literasi Anak Indonesia. Little Stars will provide regular teacher training and educational materials for AnaKardia Kids. The parents of Little Stars have also donated toys and supplies.

The anchor funding for the AnaKardia Kids Early Learning Center came from the team of KKR Asia. It is also funded by the Australian Consulate-General in Bali through its Direct Aid Program; the Red River Foods Group, a leading US importer of tree nuts, dried fruit, seeds and specialty snack products; and Indonesia’s Kalbe Group, one of the largest publicly

About Stamford American International School Stamford American International School is a world-class school in Singapore for students from two years old through Secondary School. Stamford offers integrated technology and daily Mandarin and Spanish with two rigorous programmes of learning: the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program integrated with the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards.

listed pharmaceutical companies in Southeast Asia.

Building on EBC’s momentum over the year, Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), the world’s largest membership for professional learning, recently selected East Bali Cashews to be in its first class of GLG Social Impact Fellows, a year-long programme that connects 12 leading non-profits and social enterprises with GLG’s teaching membership of over 375,000 subject matter experts. GLG will support the EBC management team in a pro bono capacity in a number of areas, including packaging, branding and marketing.

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Britain in South East Asia News

i

BiSEA News Natural Evolution of a Strong Regional Group of Chambers Five years ago, the Chamber tri-partite, inaugurated by Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, expanded to become Britain in South East Asia (BiSEA), a group of British Chambers and Business Groups in the Southeast-Asian region, including Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. BiSEA’s aim is to provide a sophisticated regional network and to be a strong collective lobby for higher profile support from the UK. Now, meeting twice annually, BiSEA member Chambers and business groups share best practices to expand services and to improve the value proposition for members. This has resulted in a more collaborative approach to intra-chamber business opportunities.

As our closest Chamber neighbour, Singapore has always taken a leading and responsible role in developing less mature business groups. In Indonesia, we were not surprised to learn that BritCham Singapore has become the first of the Overseas Business Network Initiative (OBNI) to receive interim accreditation from the British Chambers of Commerce UK. That inspired Indonesia to become the second to receive the same accreditation!

It is fair to say that we leverage on our geographical proximity. For example, we hold breakfast clubs and clinics to assist our respective members in the understanding of prevailing opportunities in each market. Also, we bring government and investment agencies together. On 5 Sep, we will team up with other BiSEA Chambers for another roadshow event hosted by BritCham Singapore.

We are delighted that BritCham Singapore continues to play the role of big brother to BiSEA, including a few fledgling business groups. Congratulations to BritCham Singapore on its 60th anniversary. BritCham Indonesia wishes its counterpart board the very best going forward. Also, I am personally delighted that my oppo, Brigitte Holtschneider, is at the executive helm at this time.

Chris Wren Executive Director

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The British Business Group Vietnam

Congratulations to the BCC, Singapore team on celebrating the 60th anniversary.

The British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV) also celebrated an important landmark recently: on 10 Jun 2014, we opened a new Business Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dr Antony Stokes, H.M. British Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Nick Holder, BBGV Chair, and other key stakeholders marked the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Our chamber is committed to working with UKTI, British Chambers of Commerce and regional colleagues such as those in Singapore to provide assistances to our members and British exporting companies.

Mr Wai-Kit Ho Business Director

Launch of British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar As a new addition to BiSEA,

On 16 July, more than 200 guests celebrated the launch of the first ever British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar at the Strand Hotel along with Founding Patrons

>

BG Group, Jardines, Prudential and Standard Chartered Bank, and Gold Sponsors John Field (BG Group), Alissa Davies (Jardines), Allen Thai (Prudential), Anthony Cortis (Shell), Tony Picon (President of the British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar), Stephanie Ashmore (Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar), Tom Platts (Stephenson Harwood), Rehan Baig (BAT), Matthew Gorman (Stephenson Harwood), Khine Wai Thwe (BAT), Harry Townshend (Aggreko)

Aggreko, British American Tobacco, Herbert Smith Freehills, Shell and Stephenson Harwood. At the time of launch, the Chamber had secured 86 Founder Members.

For further information, contact: stephanie@britishchambermyanmar.com

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Business Services News

Business Services Update

By Jennifer Hainsworth

T

he second quarter of 2014 saw the growth of the Business Services team. In April and July respectively, we were joined by U K Tina and Jared Sim as our first and second Business Services Advisors. Tina has already taken part in her first inward mission, a trade show and a webinar and has contributed to several service deliveries and Business Services reports.

Jared is quickly following in her footsteps, and the two of them have now completed their first mission to the UK. So I would like to say a big thank you to both Jared and Tina for all your hard work so far.

We have also been busy participating in the Liverpool International Festival of Business and its associated events. In June and July, we travelled back to the UK to participate in events for exporters in Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leyland and Bristol.

The first week kicked off in Sheffield, a Chamber which has already worked closely with the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, and has already contributed to the Overseas Business Network Initiative – having already completed one mission and

one Business Services report. The event enabled exporters to mingle with market experts from a number of Southeast Asian markets, as well as India and Eastern Europe. The event was also conducted informally, which I found to be very conducive.

On Day Two, I headed over to Liverpool to join the UKABC ASEAN Day at the International Festival of Business 2014 (IFB 2014). The IFB 2014 was the largest global concentration of business events in 2014. The 50-day festival ran across seven weeks between Jun and Jul and attracted business delegates and trade intermediaries from around the world.

One of IFB 2014’s objectives this year was to foster new business relationships and opportunities that may lead to direct commercial trade and investment outcomes for UK companies.

The day began with focused one-toone discussions with companies. In the afternoon, I presented on the business opportunities in Singapore. This was followed by another opportunity for oneto-one meetings with companies, where we helped their businesses get started in Singapore. I also met with a range of

companies from different sectors, including professional services, food and beverages and luxury goods.

On Wednesday, I attended the DNCC Export event, titled “Doing Business in Singapore and Malaysia”. This was another opportunity to meet with some really innovative and inventive British companies.

Elsewhere, Business West has launched a 2020 initiative with the goal of getting 2020 businesses exporting by 2020. On Thursday and Friday, I joined the Business West team to meet companies who are interested in exploring opportunities in Singapore. I also joined the expat fair that took place in Bristol on 27 June.

In the third week of July, the Business Services team and a delegation from Singapore, which comprised of representatives from our members at Ascendas and Mazars, the Singapore Business Federation and Rajah and Tan, travelled back to the UK for the IFB and meetings in Leyland, Leeds and Sheffield.

The meetings were aimed at encouraging UK businesses to explore opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Day One kicked off with a presentation and

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

Day Four saw us bidding farewell to Liverpool, as we made our way to Leeds for an event hosted by Chamber International Leeds and one of our first OBNI-assisted companies, Addleshaw Goddard. The Singapore delegates took turns to present and share insights about the Singapore markets and this was promptly followed by a networking session with UK companies.

one-to-one networking event at Leyland, titled “Doing Business in Southeast Asia”, organised by the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. During the presentation, delegates from the various Southeast Asian markets took turns to present and speak about the numerous opportunities in their respective markets. This was followed by a short Q&A session which saw the panel, comprising representatives from each of the markets, answering questions from the floor.

Day One ended with a networking event organised by Santander who warmly welcomed us on board their boat – the Kathleen and May – at Albert Dock. This was an excellent opportunity for the team to meet with their UKTI and BCC counterparts and foster a closer working relationship.

Day Two saw the team attend a full-day conference at the Rum Warehouse, a newly opened facility that played host to the IFB activities for the week. Various groups that comprised local market experts took turns to present the opportunities available in regions such as South America, Southeast Asia, China, America and Central and Western Europe. Henry Goodwin from Taylor Vinters also provided an overview of doing business

on Singapore whilst I was on the Shipping and Marine panel and presented on shipping sector in Singapore.

Wrapping up Day Two was the networking event titled “A Global Taste of Networking”, organised by the Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce. This event gave IFB delegates a chance to speak on with conference speakers and market experts from overseas chambers.

Day Three kicked off with a full-day of one-to-one networking activities back at the Rum Warehouse, where we had the chance to meet UK companies that wished to explore the Singapore market. Our afternoon programme included an event organised

by Barclays. Speakers covered topics that ranged from the current and future state of the shipping industry in Liverpool, export considerations and corporate finance.

The day ended with a gala dinner which gave all delegates the opportunity to further network with businesses and representatives from the world’s high-growth markets. It was also a chance to celebrate Merseyside’s popular culture and famous cultural exports, complete with tributes to the Beatles and both the Everton and Liverpool football clubs.

On the fifth and final day, the team departed Leeds for Sheffield, where the Business Services team and Singapore delegation were given a tour of the AMP Technology Centre – boasting the likes of Boeing and Rolls-Royce – and met representatives from the Rotherham Investment Office (RIDO) and Sheffield City Region Inward Investment. This was followed by a presentation on the local government’s efforts to promote inward investment. We were also given an indepth tour of TWI’s premises. While the team was at the AMP Technology Centre, I visited Sheffield Forgemasters, one of our first Business Services clients. There, Neil and Ian gave me a fascinating tour of their premises and I was able to see oil and gas platform components being forged. These were in the drawing and design phase when I met Sheffield Forgemasters last year. I also got to see the Giant Scorpion, an initiative that was developed through their innovative internship programme.

The week concluded with an event at The South Yorkshire International Trade Centre where seven Overseas Business Networks (OBNs) – including ourselves – were present to meet local businesses that are keen on exploring overseas markets. A presentation by the respective OBNs followed by a oneto-one networking activity saw us meet various companies keen on exploring the Singapore market further.

Finally, we posted the first of our business opportunities this month, which is another tool to help UK companies to find opportunities in Singapore. I am pleased at the overwhelming response we have received from innovative F&B companies.

For more information about business services or to learn more about our business opportunities please email Jennifer@britcham.org.sg.

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At the Chamber: Business Group News

Sustainability & Responsibility Committee Chairperson: Rosie Danyluk —Communications & Executive Office Manager, BP Singapore

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sk 10 people on what they think “sustainability and responsibility” is all about, and you will get 10 different answers. There are also many different names for it, such as “corporate responsibility”, “sustainability” and “corporate citizenship”. To many, it can even mean philanthropy or charitable donations – but these are just single practices and are not representative of the importance of responsible business every day, by every employee in every location. The Sustainability and Responsibility Committee seeks to educate and showcase Corporate Responsibility (CR) practices and issues in Asia. The Committee is always keen to hear from members on what they are doing to build responsible business practices in Asia and Singapore.

As Singapore has evolved over the last 60 years, so has its commercial landscape.

Today, Singapore is not only a leading Asian economy, it is also a global economic force.

And with success comes responsibility.

Businesses need to have governance in place to understand and manage the economic, social and environmental impacts of their activities. The International Standards Agency has defined seven core areas (ISO 26000), and organisational governance is at the heart of this. It is about understanding how decisions are made and what checks and balances are in place to ensure they are the right ones on a number of different levels.

There are an additional six parameters given

by ISO – Human Rights, Labour Practices, the Environment, Fair Operating Practices, Consumer Issues and Community.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of organisations, both large and small, who are recognising the value of this and including “sustainability” reporting as part of their annual and financial reporting. Governments, too, are legislating. For example, in India, the mandatory implementation and reporting

of CR policies for larger companies was introduced for the 2011 Companies Bill, with requirements to spend 2% of net profit per year on CR projects.

The Committee members bring great passion for the subject, as well as a wealth of local and international experience. They comprise representatives from many backgrounds, including global commerce, energy, logistics, non-governmental organisations and governments. The Committee actively shares best practices from Singapore, Asia, and beyond. Recent events have included a “Networking with a Difference”, where the challenge was put to BritCham to support its own networking agenda while giving back to the community. The inaugural event was very successful, partnering with local social enterprise to provide a unique and positive networking experience. These are just part of the overall programme to come, which include a Breakfast Club meeting on Human Rights in Sep 2014.

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Energy & Utilities Group Chairperson: Damian Adams —Simmons & Simmons

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nergy & Utilities (E&U) was the first of the Business Groups to be founded, and it has proven to be one of BritCham’s most successful. The group has regularly held business briefings each year, which frequently attract more than 100 attendees. It has also developed a broad membership base across the industry, and close relationships with government and other professional bodies.

Currently, the mailing list of E&U has more than 1,500 individuals.

The E&U steering group represents a spectrum across the industry, from big oil & gas to maritime and banking to industry expert professional service groups.

The group and its extensive membership base reflects the scale of the industry

in Singapore, which boasts the world’s largest fuel oil storage and the third largest refining and trading centre. Add to that the level of development and activity in the region and the ever-present concerns over supply security to match regional growth, and you begin to understand the scale of the business and opportunities here.

Past President Steve Puckett, who founded the group, noted, “The emergence of BritCham’s business groups, led by the E&U group in early 2004, was pivotal in the development of the Chamber. In the year or two that followed, new groups were formed, which together provided the platform for business networking that members sought. The groups went on to be the foundation of the early success

of the Business Awards and provide the structure for business professionals to engage with the Chamber.

The E&U group pioneered the strengthening working relationship with UKTI and BritCham, where visiting business groups from Britain would be co-hosted and briefed at events on the opportunities in the industry in Singapore and the region…a relationship that has really developed in recent years.”

The E&U group aims to continue to provide a platform for industry briefings, informed debate and business networking, and will remain a focal point for British business coming into Singapore with an interest in the industry.

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At the Chamber: Business Group News

Entrepreneur & Small Business Group Chairperson: Peter Seligman —Assistant Branch Manager, Meyado Pte Ltd

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he Entrepreneur & Small Business Group (ESBG) aims to serve as an idea exchange platform for like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners through establishing close links with the other active groups.

Traditionally, this has been achieved through organising events for members of the Chamber in three different formats: • • •

Networking events Presentations on relevant topics Lectures from inspiring speakers

The group seeks to assist with the two constant constraints of a small business owner. Firstly, they have too little time; secondly, the budget is always smaller than one would hope. This is where the ‘ideas exchange’ concept really comes in. It is a lot more useful to meet people in your community who face the same challenges as you and it is a lot cheaper to learn from their experiences and mistakes!

Events over the last few years have covered a wide range of topics, from assistance with website development and IT to effective marketing strategies, from options for funding to exit strategies.

Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the easiest places in the world to start a business. The SME community here is huge, so the ESBG really should be one of the largest business groups within the Chamber. However, to date, the ESBG members account for only a small proportion of the membership. For that reason, we have now looking to stage events primarily aimed at members of the SME community who are not yet members of the Chamber. By doing this, we hope to demonstrate the benefits of membership and thus increase the representation within the Chamber.

There are constant challenges for a SME operating in the most expensive city in the world. However, there are also huge opportunities. The Entrepreneur Small Business Group is ideally placed

to contribute to the success of this sector and demonstrate real value to a very significant part of the Singapore business community.

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Financial Services Chairperson: Gary Haran Doyle —Asia Pacific Regional Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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n a recent Global CEO Survey, 56% believe the global economy will improve over the coming year.

However, for the Financial Services (FS) industry in Singapore, it may not be smooth sailing. Although shifts in global economic power will benefit those operating in this region, many Asian economies still face macroeconomic challenges in the short term, thus slowing down results and growth. As BritCham’s FS business group, we have a broad range of professionals with international and local experience in insurance, banking, asset management and wealth management. We continue to support the sterling and other members of BritCham with their agendas and strive to ensure that the FS agenda continues to play representative role for the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore.

In the post Global Financial Crises (GFC) world, our members are looking to

the impact of the global reform agenda to predict the future of the financial services industry and how BritCham can help Singapore become a leading global financial centre. Rather than having IT as a background infrastructure, innovative and disruptive digital platforms and customer interfaces will be core to financial institutions’ new business models.

Financial Services firms that are members of BritCham are looking to provide mobile solutions to reach new market segments and geographies, as well as credit card and payments innovation that will drive future growth. As such, we believe those who can leapfrog to a new technological model will be best positioned to benefit from the future. As always, the challenge in Singapore and ASEAN is the return on investment, which is why the FS business group is looking to support FS members by introducing them to other businesses and provide key learning points from other industries.

With growth in global trade flows shifting to the East and South of Asia, Singapore’s strategic location and proven agility will help in its dominance in global financial services. Talent remains a key challenge for the industry in Singapore, and attracting and retaining international skills is part of the answer. However, the key to success will be to encourage local talent to develop their knowledge in cutting-edge technology and financial and risk expertise overseas.

Once they return to Singapore, they will then be able to lead a growing regional and global centre. Like Singapore, the BritCham FS business group is also looking to receive input and suggestions from talents everywhere and we are keen to bring your innovative thoughts to our membership.

Article By: Antoinette Chan PwC | Associate Director, Marketing & Communications and Gary Haran Doyle

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At the Chamber: Business Group News

IT & Communications Technology Group Chairperson: Henry Farahar —Sales Director, CloudFX

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s a relatively new business group, the ICT group’s prominence and recognition within the Chamber community has grown exponentially over the last three years. We have benefited greatly from Chamber support, of which we are most grateful. However, the true defining factor of our expanded prominence has been the spotlight technology received because it is a topic that permeates and enhances our lives. The nerds are well and truly out of the server room; Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella and Sergei Brynn are modern-day rock stars, taking the stage set by trailblazers such as Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison and Bill Gates. Behind the personality is the technology, and behind the technology are the questions “What can it do for us? How and why will we buy or consume it? What positive

impact can it have on how we live and work today?”

This evolution of demand has forced major corporations to dramatically change their businesses over the space of just a few quarters, not years. Google—is it a search engine, carmaker or home appliance controller? What do I buy from Amazon— books, phones or Cloud computing?

What should I be looking at through the Microsoft Windows? A few years ago, such a seismic shift in an enterprise proposition would have been unheard of. Now, it is not only commonplace, it is essential for survival in such a competitive and dynamic environment. For corporations in the Cloudenabled and app-focused world, start-ups and small businesses are changing the game and impacting the ecosystem more

than ever. Who will be the next WhatsApp or Beats International with multi-billion dollar valuations and workforces made up of newly created multi-millionaires?

In such an exciting landscape, the ICT business group will continue to address these topics and provide thought leadership through our Mega Trend series. We will also branch out into more specific industry— and sector-based conversations in order to keep you abreast of the opportunity technology offers you and your business, whatever your primary focus may be. As users and consumers of technology, we need to be able to informatively prioritise how we embrace and benefit from that technology and allow it to enhance our lives—and the ICT business group will strive to offer you the information needed to make those decisions.

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Property & Construction Group Chairperson: Richard Warburton —EC Harris Singapore Pte Ltd

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s we celebrate our 60th anniversary as a Chamber, it’s incredible to look back on the journey that Singapore has gone through over this period. Achieving full independence in 1965, the country has gone from strength to strength since then, and now rightly sits as a global city at the heart of what is quickly becoming the world’s most important region.

Investment in the built environment has been an important catalyst in driving this development process. A recent ARCADIS report showed that in 2013, 50% of Singapore’s total GDP can be attributable to real estate, infrastructure and other built assets. The study also revealed that Singapore secures a higher economic

return from these assets than anywhere else in the world, at an equivalent of US$29,500 per person.

These are impressive statistics and the Singapore government deserves great credit for developing a master plan that has enabled the country to grow so quickly in such a short period. As an island nation with limited land and natural resources, this investment in building the right civil and social infrastructure has been key to attracting and retaining business and highly skilled workers. These figures also reflect well on the generations of property and construction professionals who have helped to turn this vision into a reality.

Singapore cannot rest on its laurels and

must continue to invest to maintain its competitive edge and continue improving the quality of life for its citizens. The proposed investment programmes, including the high-speed rail link with Malaysia, expansion of Changi Airport and relocation of the Tuas port provide clear evidence of this forward-looking outlook.

As a Group, the exciting challenge we face over the next decade will be to provide the same level of outstanding advice and innovative solutions that will enable Singapore to continue to grow and remain a great place to live, visit, work or do business in for the next 60 years and beyond.

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At the Chamber: Business Group News

Women in Business Diversity Committee Chairperson: Sian Brown —Regional Head of Programme Execution Group, Barclays Bank PLC

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he newly formed ‘Women in Business’ group (WiB), a sub-set of the British Chamber of Commerce Diversity Committee, was launched in Nov 2013, and has since set up a busy calendar of events every two to three months. Guest speakers are invited to talk on a range of issues from the business imperative of diversity to the importance of sponsorship for women and nurturing future leaders.

The WiB forum’s aims are: •

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Assisting women in expanding their networks, finding opportunities and developing their skills Promoting positive attitudes and behaviour towards females within organisations in Singapore Making recommendations on equal

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employment best practice Ensuring that gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace is valued, embraced and furthered at all levels and across all profiles in the organisation—for both genders Sharing experiences and acting as a learning platform for individuals involved in the network

WiB works with government, industry and charity groups in Singapore to support gender diversity and inclusion by creating an environment for success and equipping women with the skills and networks they need. The sort of measures that exemplary Diversity & Inclusion organisations have in place include mandatory training on unconscious bias for all senior leaders and adaptable working structures that

allow an individual’s career to be ramped up or down depending on personal circumstances.

Feedback from events to date has been very positive, with further events planned this year on: • • •

Exploring Gender-Biased Leadership Traits Women, Small Business & Entrepreneurship The Psychology of Women and Money

For further details, visit the WiB page on the British Chamber of Commerce website. We look forward to seeing you there—men and women welcome!

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Young British Chamber Chairperson: Zoë Marmot —Head of Communications, Asia Pacific, Cognita

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he Young British Chamber (YBC) Business Committee was started in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength each year. While still in its infancy, the group has maintained a strong ethos by providing young professionals with mentor series events, off-site tours and professional networking events.

The YBC aims to be seen as the business group the “Under 40” professionals want to be a part of within the Singapore business community, connecting them with like-minded individuals. We aim to be the premier group Singaporeans and expats can

partner with in a professional environment.

The past two years have been the most successful for the YBC. We have been able to offer events and opportunities for young professionals not normally available. Last year we heard from a US Navy Captain where he spoke about the non-stop travel and sacrifices of life at sea. We heard the rags-to-riches story of a successful entrepreneur who has built a restaurant and lifestyle empire. We have networked with a Formula 1 executive and, for a couple of hours, lived life in the fast lane!

We use the connections we have to bring together opportunities that are not available otherwise. Ever been on an oil tanker? Neither had we until a committee member organised a trip.

What about sitting in the cockpit of an A380? Something only little boys dream of became a reality.

While we are still young and hope to see the next 60 years of the British Chamber in Singapore, we hope that the aspirations of this young group has set the foundation for a successful and prosperous group that will grow and flourish.

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At the Chamber: Sterling News Corporate fraud in Singapore is on the rise. Released on the 23 Jul 2014, the new KPMG-SMU Singapore Fraud Survey 2014 report suggests that 29% of the survey respondents experienced fraud incident within their organisation over the past two years, up from 22% in the 2011 survey. For the first time, the survey was carried out in conjunction with Singapore Management University.

Internal fraud constituted 75% of frauds this year, up from 64% in 2011. This was also the top concern in KPMG’s previous survey report in 2011. More than half (53%) of respondents identified that a combination of weak or over-ridden internal controls was the leading cause of fraud.

The survey also revealed that while companies recognise the threat of fraud, they can do more to implement anti-fraud measures.

Addleshaw Goddard has advised Brighton University on its latest expansion with the acquisition of the Preston Barracks site at Lewes Road, Brighton.

The site, which will be developed in a joint venture with Cathedral, will form the core of the University’s £150 million redevelopment master plan, which covers three adjacent sites and will provide new employment space, academic buildings, 25,000 ft2 of retail space, 350 quality new homes, as well as student accommodation with 1,300 bedrooms.

The news follows the government’s announcement on 7 Jul that it intends to inject £7.7 million into the barracks development as part of a £17.4 million investment in University of Brighton research and buildings.

The Addleshaw Goddard team was led by partner Peter Hardy with support from Gary Sector and Kathryn Green.

Only 1 in 3 Singaporeans believe they will be able to retire at their preferred age (60) •

Majority of Singaporeans (53%) are worried that they will not be able to afford an adequate standard of living in retirement

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Aviva’s MyIncomePlus aims to address the survey’s findings, enabling older Singaporeans to approach retirement with peace of mind

There is a significant gap between when Singaporeans would like to retire and when they think they will actually be able to do so, according to the latest findings from Aviva’s Consumer Attitudes Survey. While the majority of Singaporeans (54%) would like to retire before age 60, only a third of the population (36%) think they will actually be able to do so.

Furthermore, the findings show that that the majority of Singaporeans (53%) are worried that they will not be able to afford an adequate standard of living in retirement. For more information, visit www.aviva.com.sg

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Barclays is increasing its focus on banking partnerships to build greater depth and scale across the Asia-Pacific region in a capital efficient way.

The latest example of this partnership model is the signing this month of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mandiri Sekuritas, one of Indonesia’s largest investment banks. The agreement provides Barclays’s global institutional investor clients with enhanced access to Indonesia’s top corporates, while offering these corporations highly targeted access to global fund managers through meetings and group presentations.

“The fast moving and diverse nature of the Asia Pacific economies means that partnering with other financial institutions in the region can generate a reach and level of understanding that is hugely valuable for our clients,” says Andrew Jones, Barclays Co-CEO, Asia Pacific.

CDL Sets World Record For Largest Vertical Garden City Developments Limited (CDL) has set a record for the largest vertical garden in the world. The stunning 24-storey 2,289 m2 vertical garden at CDL’s Tree House condominium has entered the Guinness World Records. Since it was completed in 2013, the condominium nestled within the Upper Bukit Timah and Chestnut Avenue private residential estate has caught the imagination of many with its eye-catching facade.

Designed with environmental sustainability in mind, Tree House’s vertical garden is more than just a unique architectural structure. A natural insulation, the vertical garden reduces the estate’s carbon footprint by filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air. It reduces heat absorption and lowers the energy needed to cool indoor spaces.

This is expected to achieve air-conditioning energy savings of between 15% and 30%, or a total of approximately between S$12,000 and S$24,000 annually for the 48 westfacing master bedrooms that are insulated by the vertical wall.

Debt-to-equity ratios for listed companies have fallen substantially in Hong Kong. Asia’s corporate debt has risen sharply since the 2008 global financial crisis, but debt-to-equity ratios among listed firms in most markets are still much lower today than in 1996, just before the Asian financial crisis.

Total debt of non-financial corporations as a share of GDP – including our estimate of bank lending and bonds – has increased in all markets over the past five years. However, in terms of level and change since 2008, there are substantial variations across the region. Leverage is still low in Indonesia, India and the Philippines at below 50%. Singapore and Hong Kong have ratios above 200%, but these are regional financial centres, with bank loans often extended to non-residents, especially Chinese firms in Hong Kong.

Read more at: www.hsbc.com/news-and-insight/2014/asias-corporate-debt-splurge

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At the Chamber: Corporate News Through the activities of HPA, MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC), Singapore is increasingly advocating Total Workplace Safety and Health (Total WSH) for all industrial and commercial businesses. Total WSH places increased emphasis on health protection through good occupational (industrial) hygiene practice and health promotion as compared to safety, an area where Singapore has already made significant progress. IOM Singapore is working closely with MOM on research to help develop effective approaches in health protection. We have also launched our OHELP programme to help businesses understand and manage health risks to their workforce. For more information, visit www.iom-world.sg/ohelp

Service-led innovation Product development firm Cambridge Consultants has appointed Dr Tim Murdoch as Director of Digital Services. The move is in response to the growing momentum surrounding the ‘Internet of Things’ which is leading to an increase in service-led innovation.

Dr Murdoch previously led the design, development, deployment and operation of the M-PESA mobile payment service that now handles more than 40% of Kenya’s GDP. The new Digital Services initiative builds on Cambridge Consultants’ work in the fields of connected devices, data analytics and integrated systems with clients around the world.

The aim is to deliver new services in the medical, consumer and industrial sectors.

Rolls-Royce announces record half-year sales Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today that the company has enjoyed a record half-year sales in 2014, with sales increasing by 33% worldwide compared with the same period in 2013.

Sales growth was seen in all regions, with a particularly strong performance in Europe (up by more than 60%), Asia Pacific (up by almost 40%) and the Middle East (up by more than 30%). The United States and China also saw double-digit growth. In Europe, strong performance was seen in Germany, with sales doubling compared to the same period last year.

Rolls-Royce continues to see strong customer demand for Wraith, significant orders for the recently announced Ghost Series II, and good demand for the Phantom family of cars across the world. Bespoke production continues at record levels across all model families.

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Dezan Shira Asian Alliance created with new offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur & Manila Dezan Shira & Associates have created a Dezan Shira Asian Alliance with participating firms from some of Asia’s largest countries. The Alliance brings together each of Dezan Shira’s offices throughout China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and Vietnam with four other firms in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Dezan Shira & Associates also have representation in Europe and the United States.

The new Alliance brings with it a wealth of expertise, including local Managing Partners with multiple local and international accounting and law qualifications with decades of experience.

See more at: www.dezshira.com/updates

We are a Singapore-based content and communications company offering editorial, design, digital and a range of publishing services to companies around the world.

Working across platforms and with multi-lingual skills, we will develop the right solution for your specific communications and content requirements. Talk to us.

WWW.NOVUSASIA.COM Telephone +65 6223 7149

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At the Chamber: Corporate News Cushman & Wakefield announced today that it served as the exclusive advisor to JOSS Realty Partners in arranging a $24.5 million senior mortgage loan for Georgetown Plaza in Washington, DC. The three-year financing, with two one-year extension options, was provided

by Square Mile Capital Management LLC. Located at 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, DC, the property is a 79% occupied, five-story, 150,097 ft2 boutique office building that was built in 1964 and renovated in 2007.

Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd (Frasers) recently swept five highly coveted awards at the 2014 World Travel Awards and Business Traveller Awards for the Middle East, distinguishing itself as the leading serviced apartment and hotel residence provider in the region. These accolades total Frasers’ international awards to date for 2014 to 16 after just five months into the year.

Frasers was also awarded the Best Serviced Apartment Company for the region by Business Traveller Middle East, a title it also bagged in 2012. This accolade was conferred based on votes cast by readers of the magazine who are invited on an annual basis to participate in the prestigious awards.

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Crown World Mobility has seen off stiff competition to win the “Best HR & Supplier Strategy” award at the 2013/14 Re:locate Awards ceremony in London, UK. The Re:locate Awards recognise the contribution of HR and mobility professionals to global business and celebrate success, good practice and innovation.

To win the award, Crown World Mobility demonstrated its effective global mobility strategy and excellent working relationship with Novartis Pharma. Crown, which provides services to 140 of Novartis’ global locations, was honoured for delivering excellent service provision, cost savings and innovation. The mobility partners were also praised for implementing a strategy that enhanced Novartis’ business objectives and the quality of the relocation support provided to individual employees.

Timeo-Performance has successfully conducted 2 days of recruitment training for renowned recruitment firms Chapman Consulting Group/BeathChapman. Participants were a mix of nationalities coming from Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and France.

The training consultant, Alex Lanjri, is British and based in Singapore. Everyone used the most universal of languages to display appreciation at getting better results at work, big smiles. Timeo-Performance shared some of their favourite participant feedback comments: “such techniques/methods enlightened me” “understanding individual’s personality really helps when speaking to others so I know what kind of approach to take in the future” “that was great!”.

Professor Steven Miller, Vice Provost (Research) and Dean of SMU School of Information Systems, has been conferred a fellowship by the Singapore Computer Society (SCS).

The SCS is Singapore’s largest professional association for practitioners, leaders, students, and enthusiasts of the infocommunications industry. The SCS Fellow is bestowed on selected individuals who hold senior IT positions, have an established reputation of eminence or authority in the field of IT, and who have played a pivotal role in advancing the infocommunications industry in Singapore.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) announced that its electronics arm, Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited (ST Electronics), has secured about $580 million worth of contracts in the second quarter of 2014 for rail electronics and intelligent transportation, satellite and broadband communications, as well as advanced electronics and Information Communications Technologies (ICT) solutions.

“We continue to pursue new opportunities and develop solutions that will benefit growing cities in the areas of transportation, analytics, connectivity and sustainability,” Lee Fook Sun, President, ST Electronics.

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At the Chamber: BritCham New Members

BritCham New Members Corporate i3 Solutions Group Pte Ltd Ed Ansett Berkeley Residential (Singapore) Pte Ltd Serene Low Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited Haslam Preeston GMR Marketing Lisa Rose Johnson ApexPeak Pte Ltd Anthony Coundouris CloserStill Media Andy Kiwanuka Ten Group Singapore Pte Limited Andrew Michael Long

Sequebb Pte. Ltd. Tim Webb Way We Were (Wine & Whisky Pte Ltd) Kenny Mok Ceylon House Group Richard William Huggins Futurebooks Singapore Pte. Ltd. George Mathew Knight Griffin Pte. Ltd. Colin Malcolm Millward Exridge Pte Ltd Kerry Weir Regester Larkin Asia Pacific Private Limited Jacqueline Ratcliffe Anamics Creative Group Pte Ltd Jingle Chen

Corporate Plus

BDB Asia Louise Reid

The Economist Group (Asia/Pacific) Limited Scott Munday

Horizon Recruitment Pte Ltd Mark Deery

D’Perception Pte Ltd James Mortimer-Roberts Skyscanner Pte Ltd Carol Anne Petrie

Overseas Corporate Voxtree Neil Stoneham

Corporate SME

International Mortgage Plans Adrian Wright

FR events Singapore Sabrina Behm

Scotland Made Easy Marie Cruickshank

IPP/ Expat Advisory Group & Rockwills Estate Planning Walter van der Boor

Wellstead Business Consltancy Barbara Olivier

The Profit Edge Pte Ltd Ian Richard Homer

A & C Associates Ltd Andrew Skowronski

Octus Pte Ltd Sam Randall

Electronic Media Services Ltd Andrew Lambert

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At the Chamber: Members’ Offers

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Members’ Offers

To find out more about our members’ offers, visit our website under Membership -> Members Offers.

Please visit www.britcham.org.sg for terms and conditions

15% discount on full service outsourcing of payroll

15% discount off total food bill only (all buffet) at The Square

.com It’s About Time

10% off annual subscription for corporate members

The Fry Group Life Insurance Special Offer for British Chamber Members

20% discount off the South-East Asia Summit 2014

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Rugby Networking Evening 2014 6 Jun 2014

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At this casual networking event held at the Tower Club, rugby legend Ben Kay, MBE, and moderator Justin Sampson shared their experience and knowledge of the sport of rugby. More than 50 members and guests of the Chamber were enthralled as the two bantered about the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Serious fans of the sport among those who attended had the time of their lives as they got their rugby-themed questions answered.

Ben Kay MBE speaks while Justin Sampson looks on

At the Chamber: Special Event

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Event Venue Partner:

Official Flight Sponsor:

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At the Chamber: Special Event

Fair Consideration Framework 5 Jun 2014 This informative session outlined changes to Singapore’s Immigration Law with the introduction of the Fair Consideration Framework. Questions regarding the effect of employment of foreign nationals in Singapore on all business types were tackled by speakers from the Ministry of Manpower in an active question-and-answer session.

The event is proudly sponsored by:

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Insights for the Business Owner in Going Public and Managing Currency Risks 24 Jun 2014

Tan Teck Leng

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What options do business owners and managers have when raising external capital?

What should they think about and how should they go about it? These questions and more were tackled by Alun Branigan in front of a group of business owners and managers contemplating an IPO or the introduction of strategic or financial investors. Following that, Tan Teck Leng spoke about currency risk as a key consideration for businesses, especially in a region as diverse as Asia.

Alun Branigan

The event is proudly sponsored by:

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At the Chamber: Leaders in Business Lunch

BBH – Building a Global Success Story in Only 30 years 18 Jun 2014

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BBH Group Chairman Simon Sherwood shared the story of how he founded BBH Singapore in 1996 after 14 years of establishing the business in London. He revealed agency core values that have made BBH the defining micronetwork that continues to punch high above its weight on a global scale—from its clear positioning, financial transparency and strong leadership to its independent culture and the simple but powerful approach of hiring “good and nice” people.

Speaker: Simon Sherwood – Chairman, BBH Group

Leaders in Business Lunch is proudly sponsored by:

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At the Chamber: Breakfast Clubs

Leadership in Asia 16 May 2014 In this presentation, Christian Kurt Nielsen helped the audience navigate through facts and figures, threats and opportunities, so that they can build a future-proof organisation by focusing on what really matters: people. The discussion drove home why it was important for international companies to strive to make people and leadership their top priority.

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Christian Kurt Nielsen – CEO/Regional Director, Mercuri Urval

Innovation & Trends in Social Media 20 May 2014 In this interactive session, Daniel Posavac gave an update of the latest trends in community engagement across several social media platforms, the technology that drives the innovation in social media marketing and the forecast of social media.

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Daniel Posavac – CEO, Bonsey Jaden

The BritCham Breakfast Club is proudly sponsored by:

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At the Chamber: Breakfast Clubs

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Who is Thriving, Surviving and Diving in the Global Shipping Market 3 Jun 2014 What is the outlook for the global shipping market? What are some threat it faces?

Members and guests of the Chamber picked up pointers from Timothy Ross, who also gave an overview of past and predicted global trends of imports and exports, and how those trends influenced the shipping sector.

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Timothy Ross – Managing Director & Head of Asia Pacific Transport Research, Credit Suisse

The World Cup – Leadership/Business Insights from a Premier/Football League Referee 17 Jun 2014 With the World Cup underway, Ray Bigger drew on his 13 years of experience as a Premier/Football League referee and drew parallels between business and sports. He gave a real-life walkthrough of ongoing leadership learning, change and managing pressure.

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Ray Bigger – Managing Director, Think8

The BritCham Breakfast Club is proudly sponsored by:

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The Future of Gas in China 23 Jun 2014 Despite doubling domestic gas production over the last seven years, China still has an insatiable demand for gas, leading to a high degree of uncertainty over the exact level of future gas imports and the ratio of pipeline to LNG. This presentation by Dr Philip AndrewsSpeed gave insights into the dynamics that will drive China’s future gas production, demand and imports.

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Dr Philip Andrews-Speed – Principal Fellow, Head Energy Security, NUS, Energy Studies Institute

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Singapore Customs: Avoiding Financial Penalties and Delays with Advance Export Declaration (AED) 13 Jun 2014

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Neil Johnson explained the rules and regulations of the Advance Export Declaration (AED) initiative, which aims to strengthen Singapore’s supply chain security and align its export declaration practices with international norms. He also revealed some of the common challenges companies face with regards to compliance, and how they are overcoming them.

Neil Johnson – CEO, TNETS

At the Chamber: Working Lunch

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At the Chamber: Evening Presentation/Networking

How to Harness the Internet of Things?

28 May 2014 Experts in the field of technology from IDC, Bosch and Cisco offered BritCham members and guests their unique experience and guidance on this exciting paradigm shift in technology. Attendees learnt about the technological, economic and social changes that will affect their lives and businesses as a result of the Internet of Things.

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Craig Stires – Associate Vice President, Big Data, Analytics, Security, Software, IDC Thomas Jakob – Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Bosch Paul Wheeler – Managing Director, ASEAN Enterprise and Public Sector Sales, Cisco

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

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At the Chamber: Evening Presentation/Networking

A Pecha Kucha Night – Curiosity: Discover the Merits of a Curious Mind at Work 26 Jun 2014

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Centre Stage School of The Arts

Esther Lussier – Managing Director, Invisible Artists

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Andrew McGlinchey – Senior Product Manager, Google Southeast Asia

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More than 50 guests and members of the Chamber got to listen to seven speakers from a unique mix of professions taking part in a Pecha Kucha presentation and sharing their thoughts and insights into why having a curious mind at work can be advantageous.

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Frazer MacDonald Hay – Director, Glasgow School of Art Singapore

Peter Hepenstall – Vice President, Global Real Estate and Resilience, Barclays

Steve Lawler – Creative Director, Kult 3D

Raymond Hoefer – Compliance Manager, BP

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Graham Perkins – President, The Music Society, Singapore

Stephen John Pimbley – Director, Spark Design Consulting Singapore Pte Ltd

P R E S E N T S

THE 15TH ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS PRESENTATION & GALA DINNER 1 OCTOBER 2014, 7.00PM-10.30PM SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, SINGAPORE * BOOK YOUR TICKETS AT WWW.BRITCHAM.ORG.SG OR CALL US AT +65 6222 3552

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2014 BritCham Events: Mark Your Diary

At the Chamber: Events Calendar

Evening Presentation/Networking Tuesday September 02, 2014 Talent Battles Tuesday October 07, 2014 Corporate to Startup: The Great, The Bad and The Ugly

Breakfast Club Wednesday September 24, 2014 Best practice crisis, issues and reputation management Thursday September 25, 2014 Fly Paperless with Cloud Finance

W W W. B R I T C H A M . O R G . S G

BritCham Economic Briefing Thursday September 04, 2014 Venue TBC. Please visit www.britcham.org for updates.

F1 Networking Thursday September 18, 2014 Tower Club, Republic Plaza

BritCham Annual Business Awards 2014 Wednesday October 01, 2014 Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

BritCham Ball 2014 Saturday December 06, 2014 Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

SAVE THE DATE! DATE & TIME: 7.00PM, SATURDAY, 6TH DECEMBER 2014 VENUE: ISLAND BALLROOM, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SINGAPORE DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE AND EVENING GOWN TITLE SPONSOR

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FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT MS. ALEXANDRA PACKMAN: BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SINGAPORE, 138 Cecil Street, #13-03 Cecil Court, Singapore 069538 Tel: +65 6222-3552 | Fax: +65 6222-3556 | Email: alexandra@britcham.org.sg | Web: www.britcham.org.sg

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