Recognising trailblazers in corporate leadership, innovation and sustainability
From telecommunications to construction technology, the ACES Awards showcase exciting success stories of Asian organisations raising the bar.
From left: Ms Shanggari Balakrishnan, CEO, MORS Group; Mr David Calkins, regional managing principal, Gensler Singapore; and Dr Jayanthi Desan, managing partner, Aubrens. PHOTOS: MORS Group
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In a volatile global economy, playing it safe is no longer an option.
Businesses must be willing to confront unprecedented challenges like climate change and disruptive technologies. They need to embark on transformative change that requires agile leadership, an innovative mindset and a commitment to sustainability.
One example is world-renowned design and architecture firm Gensler, which has established itself in the Asia Pacific by diversifying its portfolio and forging a reputation as thought leaders through publications like the Gensler Design Forecast.
Mr David Calkins, Gensler’s regional managing principal of Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said that embracing technology and leveraging data-driven insights from the Gensler Research Institute enable the firm to incorporate forward-thinking perspectives into its designs. It has also made values like sustainability an integral part of its decision-making process.Â
“Our leadership is committed to facilitating sustainable growth and integrates ethical conduct and values-driven decision-making into every aspect of the firm’s operations,” he said.
The Gensler Cities Climate Challenge is an industry-wide call to address climate change. It reflects the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon impact for its entire portfolio by 2030 by reducing operating carbon (emissions from building use) and embodied carbon (emissions from the construction process).
“Effective leadership today must consider not only financial success, but also how businesses contribute to mitigating climate change,” said Mr Calkins. “It is pivotal for leaders to navigate these complexities and integrate sustainability into their core business strategies.”
In recognition of this mission-driven approach, Mr Calkins was awarded in the Outstanding Leaders in Asia category at the annual Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards 2023 (ACES Awards).
Organised by MORS Group, which seeks to bring Asia’s business aspirations and success stories onto the world stage, the independent, merit-based ACES Awards has recognised inspiring leaders and sustainability advocates across industries in Asia since 2013.
EVOLVING CONSTANTLY TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES
Another winner in the Outstanding Leaders in Asia category is Mr Jim Robinson, group CEO of MFE Formwork Technology, an Asian pioneer in manufacturing and marketing aluminium formwork systems for the construction sector.
MFE Formwork Technology has led the field in deploying innovative technologies such as friction stir welding. This enables the company to build one floor of a high-rise building every four days, or one landed property a day.
While coping with the economic pressures posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Robinson continued engaging stakeholders to build trust and chart a path for the business to evolve.
“I believe it’s essential to seek input from investors, employees and clients to understand their concerns. This has to be factored into the decision-making process,” he reflected.
He emphasised the importance of collaborating with like-minded organisations to create innovative solutions with a broader reach and impact, leading by example and communicating the company’s sense of purpose to its stakeholders.
Mr Robinson also noted the need to foster a company-wide culture of improvement and innovation: “This will result in emerging technologies and best practices that will keep the company ahead of their competitors.”
ACCELERATING INNOVATIONS THAT CHANGE LIVES
Established in 1939, Innovative Tech Companies of the Year award winner Keysight Technologies offers advanced hardware, software and services-based solutions for several industries.
The Malaysian company has over 3,800 patents and announces hundreds of new inventions every year. It aims to build a better planet through its sustainably developed electronic measurement solutions. These innovations change lives and connect people, said Mr Gooi Soon Chai, its senior vice-president and president of Order Fulfilment and Digital Software Solutions.
“We help customers improve design and development processes, optimise and secure networks, and use advancements like artificial intelligence and digital twins to advance technologies such as 6G, Internet of Things (IoT) and quantum computing.”
Keysight is accelerating breakthroughs in clean tech innovation, which enables smart homes, cities and agriculture to move the needle on environmental sustainability.
“We empower the clean tech revolution for automotive, energy, network, communications and IoT companies to design, test, manufacture and monitor next-generation environmentally sustainable product and service offerings,” explained Mr Gooi.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Laos’ leading telecommunications provider, Lao Telecommunication Public Company, covers over 95 per cent of the country and is the only ISO-certified network operator in the country. It was named Industry Champion of the Year at the 2023 ACES Awards.
The company is constantly innovating to offer customers new services and solutions, including a first-of-its-kind national e-wallet, M-Money, in 2020. M-Money is now the largest non-bank payment system used in Laos.
The joint venture between the Lao government and Singapore-registered Shenington Investments prides itself on driving innovation and growth through its people.
“We focus on our people and their ability to perform their work efficiently with the right tools, knowledge and skills,” said Mr Souphol Chanthavixay, CEO of Lao Telecommunication Public Company.Â
He added that the company defines sustainability as having the necessary skills and talent to drive business, keep up with new technologies, meet customers’ evolving needs and ultimately, have a positive effect on Laos’ growth.
“By ensuring that our employees have the relevant skills and knowledge and by setting an example of inclusivity, equality, using technology wisely and building strong communities, we can have the greatest impact as a socially responsible company focused on sustainability.”
Send in your nominations for the ACES Awards 2024Â and take your place at the ACES Circle alongside other ACES winners from past years.
