A True Singapore Expat: Rebecca Bisset

by Julian A. Chua

Expat. Businesswoman. Mom of two kids.

Saying that Rebecca Bisset makes a good candidate to feature for Living in Singapore magazine to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) is an understatement. Rebecca founded Expat Living magazine 20 years ago, just three years after arriving in Singapore and she’s kept the magazine going strong despite so many publications failing in the digital era. Here she shares her insights into her upbringing, her journey to Singapore and her fond memories of living here so far.

GROWING UP

Tell us more about your family background and share with us on what it was like growing up.

When people ask where I am from, I usually say, “Do you want the short or long answer?!” My parents were British. Dad was a teacher (later a headmaster), living in Chester at the time. They headed off to Northern Rhodesia back in the late 1950s, and their next stop was Aden, where I was born. They loved it, but soon had to leave because of the violence that was erupting (and sadly hasn’t stopped).

We had a few years in the UK and then lived in three different African countries: Lesotho, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. I then spent some time in South Africa, followed by eight years in London, before moving to Singapore.

So I’ve been a nomad, at least for the first half of my life. But I’ve now been here for 23 years! Those countries in Africa were just amazing to grow up in; there was so much freedom and space. We had horses, then motorbikes and Jeeps! There are amazing beaches in South Africa, and fantastic scenery in all the other places.

How did your upbringing shape the person you are today?

I think because I went to boarding school from the age of ten and moved around so much that I am adaptable and don’t get phased by change.

How would you sum up your childhood?

Varied! So many different people lived in those places we called home – one place was a university campus, another was a mining town in the middle of nowhere. The other children were all in the same position, and you tended to form a bond. We would all be back from boarding school at the same time and we’d have lots of fun. I’m still in touch with people from those days.

“Singapore is a land of opportunity, and it always has been.

SINGAPORE AS HOME

How and why did you decide to work in Singapore?

We’d just had the two kids in the UK, and my then husband’s company was closing the UK branch. We asked if there were any openings in other countries and there were. We chose here because my sister was at the time living in Surabaya, and I liked Asia. She moved to Singapore a couple of years after us and is still here!

I had just started doing a bit of photography and thinking about what I should be doing workwise when the Expat Living opportunity came along.

Having lived here for 23 years, what influenced your decision to make Singapore your permanent residency?

We got our PR very early on as my husband’s company got bought out after two years and we had to be ready to leave Singapore in two weeks. Luckily, my ex got another job, but we vowed to get PR as soon as possible so that we were never in that position again.

What do you like about Singapore as a country?

The weather! But then I also miss the seasons. I think Singapore is a land of opportunity, and it always has been, going back to the first traders who came here from China, India, and Europe.

I like that all religions are allowed. I’m not particularly religious, but I think this freedom should be acknowledged as something pretty special. I love the food, and there’s plenty to do. For example, the new Park Connectors are great –perfect timing as we’ve all had to do more walking, cycling and exploring these past two years!

BUSINESSWOMAN

How did you end up owning and operating the magazine called Expat Living?

Among the first good friends we made in Singapore were a couple who had also lived in different places as expat kids.The husband was an entrepreneur, and he had the idea of starting a magazine that would help people settle into Singapore life more quickly by interviewing other expats for their recommendations and tips.

He asked me to be the editor. I told him that I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I was happy to give it a go!

What are some hard decisions you faced and challenges you had to overcome along the way?

The initial period was toug, because I was left to do just about everything. And while I was okay on the content side (I took almost all the photographs and wrote all the content for the first 64-page issue!), I didn’t have any formal training in business or management. It was a steep learning curve to hire people and manage them, and to sort out sales and finance. But I got through it and found some lovely people who have helped me along the way.

Rebecca with her sister and father in Scotland.

The entrepreneur was keen to sell the business in 2009, but a couple of friends bought his share, so that was a relief! We also had someone offer to buy us in 2014, but I do love what I do (mostly!) and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else or working for someone.

When the media landscape started to change, and the print versus digital debate was just beginning, we needed to make some tough calls on how to operate the business in the future. We decided to be an early adopter of digital, and we spent a lot of time and energy setting up systems to cope with the changes.

Whatever medium you choose, the principles of marketing are key. You need a regular, informative, on-brand message that gets to the right people. The type of platform doesn’t matter so much as how people use it. A lot of our readers still loveto relax with a drink and flick through the print magazine while others prefer digital for quick access to news and facts.

Keeping it all going is a balance between trying to grow (new titles or locations) and doing what you do better. I think being open to ideas has distracted me from focusing and doing what we do better. In any business, it’s easy to be pulled in different directions. There are always people telling you what you should be doing or doing differently!

What achievements/milestones are you most proud of and why?

Our recent February issue was a big milestone: 20 years since the first issue of the magazine was published in February 2002.

We’ve won quite a few awards in print and digital and that’s always nice, and publishing in two countries (we have a Hong Kong magazine) was quite a big step. I like to think we are helping people settle into their new lives in Singapore more easily and finding the things they need and enjoy.

When people tell me that Expat Living magazine has helped them, I am happy!

PERSONAL LIFE

What does your day-to-day lifestyle look like in Singapore?

Recently, I’ve been sitting behind a computer and working most days! I was trying to walk more, but that has faded a bit.

What are your hobbies/interests in Singapore?

I do ‘Swimsanity’ (pool exercises), either on Zoom or in a group, a couple of times a week. I’m fairly erratic with the gym at the Singapore Polo Club, but I also do some tennis and yoga. I’d like to ride horses again, but haven’t got around to it yet.

Any hangouts, activities and food you could personally recommend to expats living here?

We had a lovely little meal near Little India the other day, and another one at a great place on Haji Lane; both were a modern fusion style. It made me wonder why I don’t get out and do it more often.

So I think my current recommendation would be to get out and walk more in the old town areas. There are some cool little eateries now. There are plenty of beautiful old buildings to look at, too, and some pretty jungle walks.

Growing up in Lesotho

VIEWPOINTS

How important do you think diversity, equality and inclusiveness is in society and the workplace?

In my view, you should choose a person who you think is best for the job no matter what color, sex or age they are. Do you connect with them? Are they reliable with attention to detail? I don’t set about hiring someone in particular. It’s really if they tick these boxes.

Expat Living magazine is very mixed ethnicity-wise, but it’s never been a conscious decision; it just happened. There’s a more female bias, and I have always let people work around their family and kids, so I think that has worked especially well for women.

What kind of stereotyping, biasness and discrimination do you see in Singapore? And what do you think can be changed or improved?

I think there is still racism here. You hear race mentioned all the time on the radio and elsewhere – and I don’t know why we have to put our race down on forms for facials! Someone used the term “minority” to me the other day and I had no idea who they were talking about. I just thought it was strange and unnecessary.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. In your opinion, what would an ideal Valentine’s Day look like to you here in Singapore?

Having a nice man to be with! I do like sunsets, so I think a comfy picnic on the beach with a bit of affordable bling as a present would be perfect.