Talent & Tech Asia Summit 2024
human resources online

HR job moves from PETRONAS ICT, British American Tobacco, Novartis, and more

Here are the major promotions and job moves in the world of HR for this week.

If you’ve been promoted or if you’ve moved to a new company, let us know and we will announce your news here – just email natashag@humanresourcesonline.net.

And for the pick of HR job opportunities in Asia, check out HRjobs.


 HR practitioner appointments

Novartis expands with the addition of Carolyn YongCarolyn Yong has joined the global healthcare company, Novartis, starting April 2017. She is now in charge of talent acquisition and staffing. Prior to this, she was an executive search consultant over at Talents Partner Consulting for nine years. She remains based in Malaysia.

Alvin See climbs the ladder at DoubleTree by HiltonFrom April 2017, Alvin See moves up the ranks from HR manager to cluster HR manager, within six months since shifting to DoubleTree from Hilton. Previously at Hilton, See started out as an HR and training consultant before making his way to become assistant HR manager. He remains based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a statement to Human Resources, speaking about his new role, See said: "I am currently working on HR strategic plans for the pre-opening hotel to ensure successful implementation of HR initiatives and processes for the upcoming property."

Procter & Gamble introduces Peachy Earlene Tan to labour relationsAfter five years as HR manager for Asia relocation and expatriate services operations at Procter & Gamble, Peachy Earlene Tan is now HR manager for labour relations, starting April 2017. Before this, Tan was with IBM Business Services as its HR delivery team lead. She is based in the Philippines.

Maya Idrus, CAHRI evolves from manager to head at PETRONAS ICTFrom May 2017, Maya Idrus takes on a role as head of employee services, after a year as the manager for organisational development and data management. Before PETRONAS ICT, Idrus was the manager for HR development and strategy at Barakah Offshore Petroleum. She is currently located in Malaysia.

British American Tobacco welcomes Elizabeth Edwin to new roleElizabeth Edwin has been with British American Tobacco (BAT) since January 2016 in a number of role. In her most recent development, she moves from payroll and benefits specialist at BAT ASPAC Service Centre to senior payroll and benefits specialist. She is based in Malaysia.

Carmen Lau advances to GeoswiftFrom senior human resources specialist at Revlon, Carmen Lau now becomes the assistant human resources manager for Geoswift, a payment technology company focused on connecting China with the rest of the world, starting June 2017. She is based in Hong Kong.

Asli Berberoglu makes her beginning with Wolverine WorldwideBeginning May 2017, Asli Berberoglu joins Wolverine Worldwide, an American footwear manufacturer, as its HR director. Before this, she worked with VF Corporation as its regional HR manager, as well as as Adidas’ senior HR manager for Asia Pacific. She remains in Hong Kong.

HR solutions provider appointments

Nur Idrin Rosni moves to KPJ Healthcare from KellyOCGStarting May 2017, Rosni will be KPJ Healthcare’s new corporate executive for training (talent management). Her responsibilities include overseeing talent management activity focusing on people's development through training and coaching. Before her venture to the healthcare industry, Rosni was a sourcing specialist at KellyOCG, and was in charge of talent associates - sourcing at AIG. She is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hanie Razaif-Bohlender takes on new responsibilities as adjunct lecturerStarting June 2017, Hanie Razaif-Bohlender will be an adjunct lecturer at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), while continuing her role as co-founder of Dragonfire Academy, the learning arm of Dragonfire Corporate Solutions, a management consulting firm. She will be based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Speaking to Human Resources, Razaif-Bohlender said: “My appointment as the adjunct lecturer in UTP is not a full time post. I would spend some time at the university between now to 2019, imparting knowledge from industry perspectives and approach.”

She also shared her top priorities for her two separate roles. As a co-founder at Dragonfire Academy, she hopes to build a supportive ecosystem to address unemployment in Malaysia and put unemployed Malaysians to work. As an adjunct lecturer at UTP, she aspires to influence the way the graduates build about their own capabilities, capacities and to learn skills needed for the future.

Hazel Thanh progresses from associate consultant to consultantSingapore-based Hazel Thanh has commenced a new role as consultant for corporate banking and priority banking at Morgan McKinley, effective May 2017. Her hiring focus is on front office positions across priority and corporate banking for South East Asia. Previously, she was the assistant consultant for Morgan McKinley.

Sutherland adds Jerry Nicholas as its head of campus recruitmentJerry Nicholas starts with process transformation firm, Sutherland effective May 2017, as head of campus recruitment. He remains based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was previously with YTL Hotels in the capacity of assistant manager - group HR, focusing on recruitment and talent acquisition.

Rachel Tan switches from Robert Walters to HaysStarting May 2017, Rachel Tan joins Hays as section manager. Before this, she was with Robert Walters for four years, with her most recent role being principal consultant for IT. She is currently located at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Active blogger Tom Sorensen becomes Boyden Thailand’s partnerTom Sorensen commences a new responsibility, bringing extensive multinational recruitment experience and corporate branding skills to Boyden Thailand. In a press release, Boyden Thailand’s managing partner, Yupadee Yudhanaraweesak, said: “Tom has for years built a strong corporate and personal brand as the person to go to for leadership recruitment.”

Sorensen comes to Boyden with 14 years of executive recruitment experience. He is known for being an active blogger and columnist, publishing thought leadership for websites, magazines and newspapers. He will be based in Thailand.

Hyuna Choi relocates from Singapore to Hong KongMoving over to Hong Kong starting May 2017, Hyuna Choi maintains her role as principal at Mercer. She has experiences working both in Singapore and Seoul, South Korea, as director at Towers Watson, for over 10 years. Before taking up managerial positions, she was an associate at McKinsey & Company.

Josh Sims moves forward with Santa Fe Relocation ServicesBeginning May 2017, Sims takes on a new role as general manager at Santa Fe Relocation Services, where he was previously its general manager for moving services. Sims joined Santa Fe Wridgways in 2010 as its export manager. He is based in Singapore.

Kerjaya Sukses promotes Sallehuddin Firzada Ahmad to manager of client engagementSallehuddin Firzada Ahmad climbs the ladder at Kerjaya Sukses from delivery consultant to manager of client engagement, starting May 2017. Before his time with Kerjaya Sukses, Ahmad was in charge of human capital over at Deloitte Consulting (SEA). He remains based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ivan Lo adds significant responsibilities to his portfolio at PeopleSearchBased in Hong Kong, Ivan Lo joined recruitment specialist PeopleSearch in October 2015 as senior consultant - luxury retail, before being promoted to consulting manager - practice leader in luxury retail team in July 2016. Effective June 2017, he is co-owner of the firm, in addition to this most recent role as consulting manager. He is team lead of luxury retail team, specialising in regional and senior assigments of local and regional roles, across visual merchandising, retail operations, HR, and sales & marketing.

ZRG Partners strengthens its team with David GreenfieldStarting June 2017, David Greenfield will spearhead the global insurance practice team at ZRG Partners. He will also open new offices for the company in Hong Kong, expanding the firm’s current coverage in the Asia Pacific region. Prior to the move, Greenfield was the managing partner of Allegis Partners for three years. He remains based in Hong Kong.

In a press release, CEO of ZRG, Larry Hartmann, said: “David is an important senior hire for ZRG, as he brings leadership for us to expand our coverage in the insurance sector globally and also local leadership to further build out our presence in Asia Pacific.”

Michele Brescia is Cartus Corporation’s global vice president for client servicesFrom global account director, Michele Brescia has been promoted to vice president of client services, starting May 2017. She will be responsible for a successful portfolio of Fortune 100 multinational companies, including firms in the biotechnology, engineering, and food and beverage. She will be based in Danbury.

In a news release, Michelle Vallejo, senior vice president of client services, said: “Michele is committed to her clients, providing them with exceptional customer service through her abilities to demonstrate creative solutions and drive execution. We look forward to the continued expertise she will bring to this new and expanded role.”

Speaking to Human Resources on her contribution to the Asia Pacific region, Brescia shared: “My role includes operational and account management global ownership for my client base worldwide. Specifically I will ensure client deliverables are supported and key performance indicators are met for each client in each regional team.”


If you’ve been promoted or if you’ve moved to a new company, let us know and we will announce your news here – just email natashag@humanresourcesonline.net.

And for the pick of HR job opportunities in Asia check out HRjobs.

Photo / 123RF

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!

Related topics

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top Human Resources stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's Human Resources development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window