Shaping Tomorrow

In this final Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Kevin Kwan, ASEAN Specialist Lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Kwan will talk about how AWS entered Singapore in 2010 and how – 15 years later – it has built a robust network of long term investments in Singapore, especially in further turning The Lion City into an AI Hub. He’ll also explain how AWS’ cloud and AI solutions are helping various organisations – from the public to the private sectors – transform and innovate. Kwan will then talk about innovative projects like the AWS Asia Pacific Innovation Hub that aims to accelerate digital transformation in the region.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Dr Sng Hock Lin, Chief of the Silver Generation Office at the Agency for Integrated Care. Dr Sng will talk about the Silver Generation Office – the outreach arm of the AIC – and will also chart its milestones as it grew with Singapore and the people. He’ll also talk about the key challenges that come with managing an eldercare landscape, especially when Singapore is heading towards a super-aged population.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Chua Ban Hong, Managing Director of Daikin, a leading air conditioning and refrigeration innovator. Chua will talk about Daikin’s early beginnings in Singapore in the 1960s, how it has embraced the latest developments in aircon technology, and how Daikin aligns itself with Singapore’s long-term sustainability and energy-efficient goals.

In Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro finds out how the Shaping Tomorrow series - aired on TV, on YouTube, streamed via podcast and broadcast on radio via cna938 - came about. Shaping Tomorrow is an ongoing series about how various companies became mega brands as they grew in tandem with Singapore over the decades. Mediacorp’s Lacey Ewin, Vice President of Digital strategy and solutions will talk about how the series was conceptualised, how she and her team worked with a wide range of brands each with their own SG60 journey, and the human interest stories behind them.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Joshua Lim, Vice President, Global Head of LNG Trading of Shell Eastern Trading about parent company Shell’s enduring presence in Singapore which began over 130 years ago. Lim will explain how Shell is more than a petrochemical company – how it is supporting Singapore’s ongoing energy needs across different sectors; developing and supplying alternative fuels in Singapore; and running programmes like the Shell StartUp Engine for energy startups.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Marlin Brown, Country Manager of American Express Singapore about how it has been operating in The Lion City for a hundred years, and counting. Brown will list some of the innovative services and products that American Express has rolled out through the decades, and how it has been targeting different businesses – from start-ups to the more traditional ones – like Cathay Photo. Cathay Photo’s Director Charmaine Toh will talk about how they have been working with American Express for over 50 years.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Nancy Quah, Director of Hoe Kee Hardware. Quah will detail how Hoe Kee Hardware began as a one-man ‘karang guni’ business to eventually becoming a one-stop kitchen and bathroom product specialist centre. She’ll also talk about how Hoe Kee Hardware ensures that its new products are certified - for the benefit of customers - like the ones that have the Water Efficiency Labelling or WELS-certification by Singapore’s PUB.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Jimmy Leong, Business Development Director of Axe Brand, well known for its signature remedial oils, like Axe Oil. Leong will describe how the brand started almost a hundred years ago and how it’s still going strong today - locally and globally. He’ll also talk about how Axe Brand has been investing in automation from as early as the 1970s, and how it has also embraced digital innovation.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Andrew Yeo, CEO at Income Insurance and Shannen Fong, VP and Head of Strategic Communications and Sustainability, Income Insurance. They’ll discuss the first tranche of policies - after the company’s founding in 1970 - that provided accessible and inclusive insurance for individuals, families, and businesses. Yeo and Fong will also talk more about closing protection gaps - catering to others in society like individuals with special needs.

In this Made in SG-Shaping Tomorrow episode, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Kelvin Fong, CEO of PropNex and Ismail Gafoor, Executive Chairman of PropNex. They’ll talk about early beginnings and triumphs - like how it went from a merger of two property agencies to today’s leading real estate portal. They’ll also discuss how PropNex typically adapts and innovates whenever there’s a new property announcement by the government and the different kinds of people who come to them with various property needs.

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Lim Him Chuan, Country Head of DBS Singapore. Lim will chart how DBS began achieving many firsts like financing a new way of shopping in the form of Plaza Singapura and investing in new projects like building the Rollei camera factory. He will also list how DBS leveraged its suite of banking solutions for individuals to build financial resilience. Lim will then explain how DBS nurtures a start-up culture by encouraging the spirit of innovation.  

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Iris Leong, Managing Director of bedding and mattress brand Tempur Singapore. Leong will describe how Tempur uses NASA-developed material that they say aids with better bedtime rest. Apart from dispensing sleeping tips, Leong will also share how Tempur engaged Team Singapore athletes to talk about health tips and good sleeping habits. She will also discuss how Tempur’s retail tactics are netting them more customers – from providing an experiential centre to throwing events for loyal clientele.  

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS, Singapore’s national payments scheme. Chan will talk about NETS’ beginnings forty years ago and how - among other things – it is playing a pivotal role in Singapore’s digitalisation journey. He’ll also discuss various value-added solutions for merchants, like the NETS SoftPOS. Chan will then illustrate how NETS uses a wealth of data insights to help merchants and SMEs conduct better business.

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Nelson Neo, Managing Director and Head of POSB Bank. Neo will talk about POSB’s beginnings in the late 1800s, and how it has evolved through the decades – anchoring itself as the People’s Bank while catering to different generations in an increasingly cashless society. Neo will highlight how POSB champions financial education through various outreach efforts and how it helps heartland merchants adopt digital payment systems.

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Ricky Ong, Managing Director and founder; and Ong Huizhuang, Manager of JR Life Sciences, a leading provider of health supplements. The father and daughter team will talk about their flagship brand ‘Holistic Way’ – how it grew from an idea to a bestselling brand; and how different supplements target various health and wellness issues. They’ll also discuss how customer feedback has led to boosting the brand’s improvement.

In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Geraldine Ho, Head of Marketing at e-commerce hub Shopee Singapore. Ho will talk about Shopee’s beginnings ten years ago and how it grew to become Singapore’s leading online shopping platform. From the Shopee Majulah Club –  for shoppers aged over 50 – to the Shopee Seller Centre, Ho will also explain how Shopee targets shoppers from all walks of life, regardless of age.

In Made in SG’s Shaping Tomorrow series, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Daniel Tay, Head of Retail Sales, Marketing and Export from Nippon Paint Singapore. Tay shares how the homegrown brand grew from humble beginnings to a multibillion-dollar empire; the legacy of founder Goh Cheng Liang; and how Nippon Paint Singapore has grown over the decades - mirroring Singapore’s nation building efforts through innovation, industry expansion and CSR activities. He’ll also explain the appeal of its iconic sumo wrestler mascot.