Up the ranks May
Who: Joan Heng
From: Stolt-Nielson Singapore Pte Ltd
To: Stolt-Nielson Singapore Pte Ltd
Joan Heng is the new global training and development manager at Stolt-Nielson Singapore. She will lead the training and development initiatives globally, which includes talent review, succession planning, career planning, performance management, training and organisation development. Heng will also help line managers develop their employees. Prior to this position, Heng was the regional HR manager at Stolt-Nielson Singapore for 12 years. She feels the company "values its people and the people culture is strong in the organisation" and she was given opportunities to develop her career with this new challenging position. Her current project is a talent management programme where she has to "identify and nurture high potentials for future leadership roles".
Who: Terence Tan
From: Rio Tinto Alcan
To: Singapore Management University (SMU)
As the head director of SMU's office of human resources and faculty administration, Terence Tan has direct HR management responsibilities for both academic and non-academic staff of all levels. As the business partner to senior management, Tan is accountable for establishing and maintaining policies and systems that actively contribute to the school's strategic business objectives. Some of his current projects include strengthening employee engagement, implementing a new performance and talent management competency framework and reviewing compensation and benefits benchmarks versus the market. Besides the traditional operational and administrative role, Tan personally feels HR can play a very important and strategic role as a change agent to improve the overall organisational culture. As long as the organisation's overall business objectives are not compromised, adds Tan. "HR can act as ‘voice of the employees' by proactively engaging senior management and line managers on HR-related topics closest to employees' hearts."
Who: Imeelia Ismail
From: Cherie Hearts Group International
To: Cherie Hearts Group International
Imeelia Ismail has been promoted to senior vice president for corporate development at Cherie Hearts Group International. Her responsibilities include identifying target business and market opportunities, developing strategies to further the company's objectives, planning as well as executing new internal initiatives, developing partnerships, and spearheading corporate development activities within the group locally and overseas. Ismail feels that Cherie Hearts is "an employer of choice" due to their renowned staff welfare and work-life balance. The strong corporate culture and excellent track record also attracted Ismail to Cherie Hearts. She believes HR should be able to listen to the employees and "establish a good understanding of the different people who work in the organisation".
Who: Goh Ban Ping
From: Credence Systems
To: Sennheiser Consumer Electronics
Goh Ban Ping is the new regional HR manager for Sennheiser Consumer Electronics in Asia. Her key responsibilities include employee retention strategies such as career planning, training and development for the core teams in Singapore and China. Being totally new in the consumer electronics industry, Goh feels this is a "great career opportunity and an eye opener" to be closely involved in the R&D sector. Her first project is familiarising herself with employees in Singapore and China, understanding each business unit better and improving processes where HR is lacking. But Goh has to ensure any changes made to corporate policies do not jeopardise the company's strong family-oriented culture, values and work ethics. Similarly, Goh wants to demonstrate to her management that "HR adds value" and instil positive mindsets in employees. "Employees are our key to success. My role is to understand their needs and how I can assist them in closing the gaps they have with management."
