The Asia Pacific growth region, and what to say to head office
Suan Teck Kin, Head of Research, Global Economics & Markets Research, UOB

“It’s a growth region, right?” is the general observation any senior leader from head office in the US, Europe or elsewhere will make as soon as they step off the plane in Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok or any of our major Asia Pacific cities. But that glib observation belies the reality that the region is incredibly diverse. Markets that are big, but slow-growing, like Japan and Australia. Markets that are growing rapidly such as Vietnam and the Philippines, and others that are perpetual underperformers. And then we have all the uncertainty of high inflation, driven by energy and commodity prices and supply chain disruption. So what do you tell head office? Suan Teck Kin leads UOB’s macroeconomic research, and will share with us the bank’s expectations for the region as part of a broader discussion on how we correctly position Asia Pacific as a growth opportunity. Teck Kin is a highly experienced economist, having previously worked in North Asia and North America.

The CFO of the future – understanding critical Finance skillsets
Oliver McKenzie, Consultant, Spencer Stuart

If value creation is the CFO’s raison d'être, what are the skillsets that allow them to add value in fast-growing emerging markets? How has the approach to the Finance function in the Asia Pacific region changed in the post-pandemic world, and what is the profile of the most successful CFO? If you’ve ever wondered what will make you and your broader teams successful, this session is for you. Spencer Stuart – one of the world’s leading executive search firms – has conducted extensive research among the region’s CFOs and CEOs to understand what drives success in the role, and what leading businesses are doing to ensure they have the right Finance leaders in place. In this session, Oliver McKenzie, a member of the firm’s CFO practice, will share some of those learnings, as well as his own experience in placing candidates in critical Finance leadership roles around the region. Oliver has 15 years’ experience in the region and leads the CFO practice in Southeast Asia.

North Asia: what the future holds
Francis Kuo-hsin Liang, Representative, Taipei Representative Office in Singapore

With the focus of multinational companies on US-China tensions, the Asia CFO Network is honoured to host Francis Liang, the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Representative in Singapore for an open dialogue on cross-straits relations. Representative Liang is a highly experienced global policymaker who was previously the ROC’s Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and Chief Trade Negotiator. He played a key role in the negotiation of the 2010 Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China and the 2011 bilateral investment accord with Japan. As Chief Delegate, Mr Liang co-chaired the first three Regular Meetings of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Committee. This discussion will cover the ROC’s views on cross-straits relations, and will also look at the future for political and economic security in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Members may attend with a member of their Finance team. This event will include luncheon and light refreshments.