Can aviation truly take flight toward a sustainable future?And who will lead the way?

In this episode of the BritCham Podcast, Chamber Vice-President Simon Middlebrough sits down with our guest Honor Puciato, Associate Director and Air Quality Lead at Ricardo, and the UK Department for Transport's AviationAmbassador.

With a career spanning airports, sustainability strategy, and environmental innovation, Honor brings a rare perspective on one of the world's most challenging industries to decarbonise.

From her work with Heathrow to her current role acrossAsia-Pacific, Honor explores what the future of sustainable aviation really looks like: from promising new technologies to the evolving role of airports as drivers of environmental responsibility.

Honor discusses why attracting young talent into aviationhas never been more critical, what skills the next generation will need in a digitally transformed and climate-conscious industry, and her message to anyone questioning whether aviation is still a future-ready career path.

The conversation also explores the leadership lessons frommanaging complex environmental strategies at one of the world's busiest airports, and why this moment in aviation history is one of the most exciting yet.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on decarbonisation, leadership, and why the future of flight depends on the people willing to reimagine it.

What does it take to build a global PR and advertising empire in the age of AI?

In this special episode of the BritCham Podcast, Co-Chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee Andrew Clark sits down with Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital and the visionary who built WPP into the world's largest advertising and marketing services company over 33 years.

From his unique vantage point spanning Western and Asian markets, Sir Martin shares why Singapore continues to be a beacon for global business, what the UK can learn from the city-state's economic model, and how he's reimagining advertising for the digital age with S4 Capital - a purely digital agency built for millennial-driven and global brands.

The conversation explores the seismic shifts reshaping the industry: the turbulent year for content and media, how AI is transforming marketing across five critical areas, and whether we should be excited or concerned about platforms like Meta automating creative and optimisation.

Sir Martin also reflects on the cultural differences between doing business in the West versus Asia, what ROI really means for brands expanding into the region, and his advice for the next generation of creatives and entrepreneurs navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.

🎧 Tune in for candid insights from one of the world's most influential business leaders on leadership, innovation, and the future of advertising and marketing.

In this episode of the BritCham Podcast, Executive Director David Kelly sits down with Imane Jamal Eddine, General Manager and Head of Sales for Digital Natives, VCs & Startups, Asia at Microsoft, to explore how Asia is shaping the next wave of innovation.

From her inspiring journey across Morocco, Japan and Singapore, Imane shares how Microsoft is empowering digital natives and startups to scale across the region, championing diversity in tech, and driving meaningful innovation through AI.

She discusses Microsoft’s collaboration with BLOCK71, the rise of “digital colleagues” in the workplace, and why the future of technology is born in Asia.

🎧 Tune in for insights on AI, leadership, and entrepreneurship from one of Microsoft Asia’s most dynamic leaders.

*This episode was recorded in end-April 2025.

In this episode, BritCham Singapore’s Executive Director David Kelly is joined by Howden’s leadership team—Anthony Hobley (Deputy Chair, Climate Risk and Resilience), Daniel Fairweather (Head of Food Security Systems and Biodiversity), and Charlie Pool (Head of Carbon Insurance)—for a compelling conversation on the role of insurance in advancing climate resilience across Asia Pacific.

Often seen as a reactive tool, insurance is increasingly being reimagined as a proactive enabler—helping de-risk innovation, attract sustainable investment, and support nature-based solutions in vulnerable communities. The guests share how Howden is partnering with governments, NGOs, and private sector actors to close the protection gap and unlock new models of risk-sharing in the face of rising climate volatility.

Together, they explore how Singapore is positioning itself as a hub for climate and disaster risk finance, the challenges of quantifying climate risk, and the leadership mindset needed to embed sustainability into insurance products and services.

🎧 Tune in to discover how Howden’s leadership team is helping redefine insurance as a force for good—and why this matters for businesses and communities alike.

What does it take to build one of Singapore’s most successful international schools—from scratch?

In this special episode, BritCham's Executive Director, David Kelly, sits down with Nick Magnus MBE, Founding Head of College at Dulwich College (Singapore). Nick shares his remarkable journey, from landing in a hotel room during the 2012 Olympics with no team, no office, and no clue where to begin—to opening one of the largest international school launches in the world.

From surviving opening day chaos to navigating a global pandemic with what he calls the "Dunkirk spirit", Nick reflects on leadership lessons, the power of community, and how crisis brought the British community in Singapore closer than ever. It’s honest, humorous, and rather inspiring.

🎧 Tune in for reflections on educational leadership, building community from the ground up, and what it truly means to lead with values in a time of crisis.

In this episode, BritCham Singapore’s Executive Director David Kelly sits down with Morgan Stark, Head of Asia at SRM, for a deep dive into reputational due diligence, geopolitical risk, and the realities of doing business across Asia’s diverse markets.

Drawing from over 15 years of experience in corporate intelligence, Morgan unpacks how businesses can better navigate corruption risks, fraud typologies, and misinformation—especially in high-stakes environments such as M&A, private equity, and cross-border partnerships.

The conversation explores the critical role of non-financial due diligence in today’s volatile landscape, how AI is changing the nature of information gathering, and why trust, transparency, and local insight matter more than ever. Morgan also shares his journey from academia into the intelligence space, and what it’s like leading a team across Asia from SRM’s Hong Kong base.

Other key themes include the complexities of compliance in Southeast Asia, the impact of shifting global tariffs, and how businesses—big and small—can protect themselves through smarter, upfront risk assessment.

🎧 Tune in for expert insights on navigating Asia’s business environment, building resilience through information, and what companies need to know before entering new markets.

In this special episode recorded in London, BritCham Singapore’s Executive Director David Kelly sits down with the Right Honourable Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland, to explore Scotland's international strategy and growing global footprint.

Secretary Murray shares insights from his recent trade mission to Singapore, where he launched Brand Scotland—an initiative focused on showcasing Scottish innovation, technology, and green energy transition to global markets beyond domestic borders.

The conversation delves into Scotland’s emerging strengths in AI development (dating back to 1963), life sciences, and the green economy, as well as the role of Scottish universities in forming impactful global partnerships—particularly with institutions in Singapore. This Scotland-Singapore collaboration is helping to drive knowledge exchange, tech sector growth, and education-based soft power.

Other topics include the North Sea’s energy transition, the UK industrial strategy, and the implications of the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)—offering new opportunities for Scottish businesses to expand into Southeast Asian markets.

🎧 Tune in for expert insights on Brand Scotland, UK-Singapore trade relations, and how the UK is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable innovation and international collaboration.

Could a new generation of business leaders be the key to solving our climate crisis? Join us as we chat with two remarkable students whose fresh thinking on green financing, policy development and sustainability might just give us the much-needed optimism we've been searching for.

Stephen Skalecki, member of the Chamber’s Sustainability and Resilience committee visits Westbourne College to chat with two brilliant IB students, Manan Agarwal and Andre Khristoliubov, who took part in the Chamber's Sustainability Dialogue last year. Stephen is also the Technical Principal – Sustainability and Climate Change at EnviroSolutions & Consulting.

Manan and Andre share their top takeaways from the Dialogue and reveal how smart city planning and sustainable policies and the fight against greenwashing have shaped their academic work and career aspirations.

Westbourne’s students offer a refreshingly different perspectives on climate action – from Manan's keen interest in taxation policies that bolster environmental protection to Andre's passion for green financing that values long-term planetary health over quick profits. Their optimism about sustainability solutions and belief in the power of individual actions brings energy to the current state of climate conversations.

Whether you're curious about the business opportunities in sustainability, wondering how the next generation views environmental challenges, or simply fancy a bit of hope about our planet's future, this episode delivers great insights from tomorrow's leaders.

How do businesses grow in an ever-changing market landscape? How can marketers apply evidence-based insights to drive success? We put world-leading marketing expert, Professor Byron Sharp, Director, Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, University of South Australia, in the hot seat.

Speaking to David Kelly, Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore, Byron shares his ground-breaking research on how brands grow, the power of evidence-based marketing, and why many traditional marketing beliefs are myths. He also discusses the upcoming How Brands Grow Live!, an executive development marketing program in Singapore, designed to help businesses translate marketing science into real-world growth strategies.

Professor Byron Sharp is the author of How Brands Grow and How Brands Grow 2, two of the most influential marketing books of our time. He leads the Ehrenberg-Bass institute, one of the world's top research centres in marketing science, which advises global corporations like Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and General Motors.

Join other leading marketing and business professionals and learn directly from Professor Byron Sharp in a 4-day executive development marketing program, How Brands Grow Live! For Executives, happening in Singapore from April 7-10, register here: https://marketingscience.info/apply-for-how-brands-grow-for-executives/

How does one get their book published? How do authors get discovered these days? Do aspiring authors need a large social media following? We put Vice President and Publisher at Penguin Random House SEA, Nora Nazarene Abu Bakar in the hot seat.

Speaking to Vice President of the Chamber, Suzy Goulding, Nora reveals the exact steps you need to take to get published as an author. She walks us through tips on how aspiring authors can maximise their chances of getting discovered by publishers.

Nora also tells us the pitfalls business and fiction writers make when pitching their manuscripts. Move your written script from the slush pile to the yes pile by knowing the publisher and your audience.
Nora leads the publishing of literary works across the Southeast Asia region for Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher. She has two decades of publishing experience under her belt, and has been with Penguin since its Southeast Asian arm was first set up in 2018.

How does one of the most prolific UK composers of our time compose? How can musicians make classical music accessible? We put contemporary British Composer Jonathan Dove CBE and Paul Hughes, former Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in the hot seat.

Speaking to Tanglin Trust School’s Head of Co-curricular Michael Holiday, Jonathan and Paul share their journey in developing the world premiere of A Bridge Across the Sea – a Cantata performance based on the Ramayana, commissioned by Tanglin Trust School for its centenary celebration.

Contemporary British Composer Jonathan Dove CBE is one of the most performed living opera composers. He has written more than 30 operas including Flight (1998) which has seen more than 30 productions, Mansfield Park (2011) and Marx in London (2018).

Paul Hughes is a former Director at the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and the BBC Singers for more than 20 years. He currently mentors the next generation of young conductors at the Lead! Foundation.

This episode was produced in partnership with member company Tanglin Trust School.

You can get tickets to the World Premiere of A Bridge Across the Sea, a specially-commissioned Cantata for soloists, Children's Chorus, Adult Chorus and Orchestra by Jonathan Dove CBE here: https://sg.bookmyshow.com/en/e/TTSMUSIC

In this special episode, British High Commissioner to Singapore H.E. Nik Mehta OBE unpacks his first 100 days on the job, the future of the Singapore-UK relationship, and more about himself and his family.

Speaking to David Kelly, the Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore with a live studio audience, Nik recounts his journey to becoming High Commissioner, his experience settling in Singapore, and his biggest impressions and learnings from his first 100 days.

Nik also tells us how his communications plan was developed with his team at the High Commission, and the future of the growing relationship between Singapore and the UK.

Diversity and inclusion is an area that Nik supports strongly. He talks about his own background and experience in supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The episode closes with a Q&A session with our live audience at the studio.

The Chamber would like to thank Poddster Singapore for their support in producing this episode.

Tune in to the full episode to get to know our new British High Commissioner and his priorities for his term.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and please take a moment to give us a 5* rating if you enjoyed the show.

Note: The UK acceded to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on 15 December 2024. This episode was filmed on 5 December 2024.

Can we change how we support refugees to make an even bigger social impact?

We speak with member company UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency to understand how they have been using technology and innovation to make a bigger impact in international aid.

Carmen Hett, UNHCR’s Corporate Treasurer, shares how UNHCR has been using blockchain and biometrics technology to disburse financial aid, giving refugees flexibility on what essentials they purchase and where they purchase them.

Besides empowering the economic inclusion of refugees, the rich data from aid disbursement better informs UNHCR of the needs of the refugee community, and safe spots to disburse aid.

David Sharatt, Co-Chair of BritChamSG’s Financial and Fintech Committee and Global Head of Data Product Commercialisation at Standard Chartered is our moderator for the conversation.

In this episode, David discusses how financial services can better support the international community through initiatives such as digitally enabled embedded finance rails.

Together, Carmen and David also explore the challenges behind refugee aid, the myths behind what it means to be a refugee, and how the global and business community can better come to support refugees.

Carmen also shares her personal stories from more than 20 years with UNHCR, and what motivates her to make an impact every single day.

Tune in to the full episode to find out how finance technology and businesses are transforming refugee aid, and how you too can make a difference.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and please take a moment to give us a 5* rating if you enjoyed the show.

Explore the evolving landscape of brand strategy, consumer insights, and luxury innovation with the top marketing leaders from 1HQ, Canvas8 and Diageo.

Floydd Wood, Strategy Director at 1HQ, shares his expertise on brand strategy and the creative solutions driving his agency’s success. Andrea Ng, APAC Insights Director at Canvas8 and our moderator for the conversation, tells us about the latest consumer insights and cultural trends shaping the Asia-Pacific market. Perrine Cavat, Luxury Scotch Innovation Director APAC at Diageo, discusses the innovations and strategies redefining luxury scotch brands in the region.

Together, they explore the impact of evolving consumer preferences, the role of innovative strategies in brand success, and the future of luxury marketing. They also reflect on their personal experiences, challenges, and successes within their fields.

Listen to the full episode to gain valuable insights into brand strategy, consumer behaviour, and luxury innovation, and discover the latest trends driving the marketing and business forward.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and please take a moment to give us a 5* rating if you enjoyed the show.

In this podcast episode, Sheena Jacob, Partner at CMS Holborn sits with Daisy Radford, Chair of the Chamber’s Technology Committee, to speak about the nuances around the recent amendments to the 2018 Cybersecurity Act and its impact on businesses.

This episode first gives an overview of the key points and objectives of the 2018 Cybersecurity Act. Sheena then explores the significant amendments introduced in response to the rapid digital transformation during the pandemic. The discussion highlights how third-party systems in the supply chain, new regulated entities, and virtual computer systems are now included in the newly expanded law.

Our speakers also discuss what these changes mean for businesses, particularly those in the supply chain of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) providers, and their impact on Singapore's national security.

Tune in to the whole episode to stay informed on how your business may be impacted by the new regulatory updates on cybersecurity and how you can stay on top of the current regulatory requirements. If you’re a CII provider, a cybersecurity vendor, or part of the cybersecurity and IT supply chain, this episode is not to be missed.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and if you're listening on Spotify or Apple, please take a second to give us a 5* rating if you enjoy the show.

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In this podcast episode, Romain Gagliardi, Senior Manager at Wavestone Asia sits with Daisy Radford, Chair of the Chamber’s Technology Committee to talk about the findings of WaveStone's latest global survey on Gen AI and data-related trends. The comprehensive survey covering 600 companies across the globe, reveals important trends businesses need to know before investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

This discussion explores differences in AI adoption across industries and regions, with Singapore leading the way in positivity and readiness compared to more cautious markets like the UK. 

The episode also addresses the need for a balanced approach to Gen AI – Businesses must consider both opportunities and risks before investing in and implementing AI in their operations. 

Listen to the full episode to stay up to the date on the current state and prospects of AI across different regions, and learn practical advice for your business to embark on AI adoption. 

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and if you're listening on Spotify or Apple, please take a second to give us a 5* rating if you enjoy the show. 

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In this special episode of the BritChamSG podcast, our outgoing patron and British High Commissioner Her Excellency Kara Owen CMG CVO reflects on her term in Singapore with the Chamber’s Executive Director David Kelly. This episode was recorded live on 4 June in the Poddster Singapore studio with a live audience of Chamber members.

This exclusive conversation with Her Excellency Kara Owen covers her journey as a career diplomat, moments in Asia and Singapore, cultural exchanges, diplomatic challenges, the Chamber and the business community and beyond.

Her Excellency outlines the growth of UK-Singapore trade relations, the UK business community and trade and investment between the UK and Singapore during her tenure. She also shares her challenges and the important lessons she has picked up during her postings in Singapore and Asia.

Closer to her heart, Kara tells us about her most memorable moments in Singapore, the support she has received from her team and the community, and personal stories from her early and recent years. The episode concludes with her hopes for the future of UK-Singapore relations, and an intimate Q&A session with Chamber members.

Listen to the full episode to hear Her Excellency Kara Owen’s reflections on working with businesses and communities in the UK and Singapore, and her thoughts on businesses and UK-Singapore trade relations going ahead.

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In this latest episode of the BritChamSG podcast, we hear from Chamber members Control Risks as they unpack the 2024 India Election Results. Join us for a conversation between Control Risks’ Angela Mancini, Partner and Head of Global Risks Analysis APAC and Amit Narayan, Partner and Head of South Asia as they outline what the Indian election results mean for government, businesses and the international community.

While Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured the election victory, Amit outlines why the margin of victory has deviated from the predicted landslide outcome. Even though this would be Prime Minister Modi’s first time navigating a coalition government, Amit also emphasises that this is not a radical shift in Indian governance but a slight adjustment. The BJP still has the mandate to fulfil its promises to its people and its governance manifesto.

Amit also addresses the concerns around potential shifts from Prime Minister Modi’s pro-business and pro-multilateralism stance. He shares how the Indian government might pivot to finessing the minutiae on policy and regulations rather than broad transformation changes, which may yield more opportunities for businesses. As China moves up the value chain, India may also realign its trade relations and seek to fill the manufacturing opportunities from its neighbour. India may also take a wait-and-see approach to engaging with the West as the UK, US and Europe find their way through the election season.

Listen to the full episode to discover the opportunities and challenges arising from the Indian elections, and how your business can rise above India’s new wave of governance and policy.

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In this special episode of our podcast celebrating International Women’s Month, Charlotte Wilkinson of the British Chamber of Commerce Diversity and Inclusion Committee speaks with Pushkaraj Gumaste, Head Of Corporate Banking For Asia Pacific & Middle East, and Executive Sponsor For Barclays APAC Gender Agenda; and Aditi Nair, Managing Director Head Of HR, Asia Pacific, and Global HR Business Partner, Sustainable Finance, both from Barclays Bank Plc. The discussion explores how diversity, equity and inclusion can be built in organisations and how it can become a competitive advantage.

Pushkaraj and Aditi share how Barclays’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender representation has grown over the years. Barclays has been increasing their female representation in leadership roles and providing avenues for women to have successful careers after returning from breaks. One example is through Launchpad - a platform that women across the organisation can access to plan and enable their careers in a structured manner.

The conversation covers the challenges around gender equality and equity programmes in businesses, and the importance of having people take personal accountability for driving inclusion and diversity. The duo also touched on the importance of staying the course in DEI initiatives, not expecting immediate results and the power of employee resource groups in building equality and equity.

These networks build community, solidarity and momentum in bringing about sustainable change within organisations.

The episode culminates with practical wisdom and steps that organisations of all sizes can apply to begin addressing DEI and gender equity.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and if you're listening on Spotify or Apple, please take a second to give us a 5* rating if you enjoy theshow. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of our Podcast, Kate Wheble of the British Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Committee, speaks with Yuki Yasui, Managing Director of GFANZ Asia Pacific Network. The discussion presents a thought-provoking exploration of how sustainable finance can be a powerful force for positive change in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges on a global scale.

Yuki shares her personal journey into sustainable finance, tracing back to her early involvement with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and highlights pivotal moments such as the launch of the Equator Principles and the Principles for Responsible Investment.

The dialogue extends to recent global developments, with a particular focus on the outcomes of COP26 and COP28. Yuki underscores the critical importance of sustainable finance in driving forward the global climate agenda, emphasising the need for concerted efforts from governments, multinationals, and financial institutions alike.

Furthermore, Yuki articulates the imperative for clear definitions and robust transition planning in sustainable finance. She advocates for common understanding and alignment on financing strategies, particularly in the transition from "brown" to "green" economies, to mitigate risks such as greenwashing and ensure genuine impact.

Throughout the conversation, Yuki's insights underscore the pivotal role of finance in catalysing sustainability efforts, shaping policies, and fostering collaboration across sectors.

Subscribe to the BritCham Singapore Podcast on your favourite player, and if you're listening on Spotify or Apple, please take a second to give us a 5* rating if you enjoy the show. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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