StoreHub opens new regional HQ in Kuala Lumpur housing 195 employees

Malaysian technology provider StoreHub has officially opened its new regional HQ, known as the StoreHub Stadium, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Spanning 27,000sqft, the space currently houses 195 of the firm's over 340 employees (Hubbers), and is expected to eventually house up to 500 members of the company's local and international teams.

Commenting on this move, Fong Wai Hong, CEO and CO-founder of StoreHub, described the Stadium as a "flexible, functional space where inspired Hubbers will thrive in innovating and developing purpose-driven solutions that ultimately benefit thousands of businesses in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia."

"This space is also part of our long-term commitment to investing in our home country to help accelerate Malaysia's digital transformation as a country, and the digital empowerment of businesses here as they grow."

He also added that regional functions supporting this growth are part of the open job positions in Malaysia, and that the firm aims to develop local talent in the country to help it expand across the region.

Connecting employees to nature

Taking into account the importance of increasing employee wellbeing, Fong shares: "StoreHub Stadium was designed with an emphasis that began with one of the most important and yet underlooked elements of what makes a space great - natural light."

The idea of using the space's natural lighting to increase the well-being of employees by making them feel more connected to nature, was core to how it was laid out. Artificial lighting enhanced this, as does the generous space allowances between areas and the various special purpose corners and private areas that allow Hubbers to do their best work, comfortably, he adds.

Employees are also given easy access to power outlets, WiFi, and the "right temperature" for each of them to feel comfortable. "It sounds simple but many spaces overlook the little details which eventually become a constant, nagging discomfort. We wanted to address these up front to make sure the StoreHub Stadium remains a comfortable, creative and productive space for all of us for years to come."

Apart from the above, the Stadium also includes a variety of spaces such as large formal meeting rooms for up to 14 people, small huddle rooms for five people, 1-on-1 meeting rooms, call booths and open collaborative spaces. Not forgetting the brand's core culture which is inspired by sports, the office also has mobility & monkey bars, a ping pong area, and a fully functional rock climbing wall built into the space.

Asian Development Bank establishes office in Singapore

In similar news across the shores, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has opened its new office in Singapore (5 March), in an event officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat and ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

In a press release, the Ministry of Finance said this would deepen "efforts to collaborate on some of the most pressing development challenges facing Asia and the Pacific."

Both leaders also agreed that this Singapore office will create even more avenues to enhance cooperation between ADB and Singapore across the region including tackling climate change, financing and building quality infrastructure, pioneering innovation in development operations, and managing urbanisation.

"I warmly welcome ADB's move to establish a presence in Singapore. By realising synergies with our financial and services ecosystem, ADB can play an even more substantial role in meeting the region's immense demand for infrastructure.

"Singapore is committed to furthering our partnership with ADB, including through project development, sharing of best practices and deal brokering, to promote strong, sustainable and inclusive growth for the region."

The Singapore office marks a new stage in the expansion of ADB's private sector operations. It will be a lean and focused office comprising 12 specialists from ADB's Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) and Office of Public-Private Partnership working in a range of sectors including infrastructure, financial institutions, agribusiness, health and education, trade finance, private equity, and cofinancing.

The office is led by Sonali Tang, who has worked at ADB for five years in various senior roles.

Lead image / Provided Image / Ministry of Finance Singapore's Facebook page [From L-R: ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat]