Who Alice Foo
From ESPN Star Sports
To Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific
Alice Foo has been appointed the new vice president of human resources for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, a division of the non-fiction media company Discovery Communications. With over 20 years of HR experience, she will be responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing corporate human resource strategies, and programmes for employees in across seven countries. Based in Singapore, Foo will also manage the HR operating budget for the region, and advise on the organisational structure that best aligns with the business’ strategic direction. But her main focus would be making Discovery the employer of choice as having the best and right people is key to the organisation’s success. “I’ll be focusing on people development and talent management, and continuing to implement programmes and ideas that make Discovery such a great place to work.”
Who Sharon Tong
From Tan Tock Seng Hospital
To Singapore Management University (SMU)
Appointed the manager of talent acquisition for SMU, Sharon Tong is responsible for all recruitment matters pertaining to the school’s administrative staff. She also deals with performance management matters, manpower planning and budget issues for the Office of Faculty Administration & Human Resources. Tong says she is currently reviewing all HR policies for SMU as she wants to ensure the organisation incorporates the best practices for continued corporate governance. Likewise, she wants to work with employees, taking into consideration their aspirations and interests, to provide a suitable career path for each of them so that “it is not just a job to them, but a developmental and enriching process.”
Who Jacqueline Teo
From Acergy Asia and Middle East
To Acergy Asia and Middle East
In a meteoric rise, Jacqueline Teo, who joined Acergy as regional HR manager earlier in February this year has now been promoted to the position of HR director. Despite the initial surprise of her promotion, Teo says the fact that the company felt she was ready for the job was a huge compliment to her, and looks forward to the challenge of being the first female Asian in the leadership team. Besides being in charge of the whole HR functions for Asia and Middle East, she is also more involved in the strategic level of the business. Teo’s main objective for the next eighteen months would be helping the business to stabilise its workforce. One of Teo’s 2009 agenda would be looking at talent development, succession planning and developing more Asian talent.
Who Tan Yeow Chong
From General Electric (GE) Commercial Finance Asia Pacific
To General Electric Asia
Tan Yeow Chong has been appointed GE Asia and GE ASEAN’s e-HR and HR Operations Centre of Excellence (CoE) manager. He is responsible for the region’s HR systems, as well as backroom HR operations support. Previously a C&B manager and HR operations manager, this marks his fifth lateral move within his seven years of working for GE. To Tan, the opportunities and exposure to different industries have made it feel as though he has worked for several companies. Despite starting out as an IT management trainee, Tan says being an HR professional now allows him to be a business partner as well as an employee advocate in the company. “There is a thin line between these two roles and we have to strike a balance and deliver the right messages to these stakeholders.”
