Event Details

Asia's leaders in both the public and private sectors have long put economic and profit growth above sustainability goals. Governments have been reluctant to impose regulations and slow to build the infrastructure necessary to build green economies, while Asian companies prioritised expansion above improving their environmental, social and governance (ESG) record. Meanwhile, workers in the region generally valued their pay in their pockets more than the quality of the surrounding land, water and air. Consumers too were won over by how cheap and convenient products are, rather than how socially-responsible their supply chains are.


Could covid-19 change these attitudes? The slowdown caused by the crisis gives Asia leaders a prime opportunity not only to catch up on environmental targets, but also to lay the ground for a green transition. Indeed, the fierce and sudden onset of the coronavirus had already brought certain environmental benefits as industries shut down, such as drastic reductions in energy use and pollution. Moreover, the pandemic highlighted the great risks of not properly managing our environment, ultimately damaging economies and business activity.


How can Asia's businesses push for and support sustainable recovery in the region? Join us and a panel of industry leaders as we discuss the ways in which digital technology, finance and infrastructure can together build a more resilient future for Asia.

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please send an email to ecn_sea@economist.com.

Agenda

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Introduction
8:40 AM - 9:15 AM
9:15 AM - 9:50 AM
Q&A
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM
Conclusion

Speakers

  • Girish Ramachandran (President APAC at Tata Consultancy Services Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.)

    Girish Ramachandran

    President APAC at Tata Consultancy Services Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

    Girish Ramachandran is President, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Asia Pacific (APAC). In this role, he is responsible for strategy, growth and business operations in Australia, New Zealand, ASEAN, Greater China and Korea. Under his leadership, TCS APAC has consistently contributed to TCS’s industry-leading growth.

    Girish joined TCS in 1994 and in his 24- year career with TCS, has held a wide variety of leadership positions across key parts of TCS’s business. Girish personifies TCS’s commitment to helping its clients “Experience certainty”. As Head of TCS Europe for 9 years, he leveraged on his strength of developing strong client relationships, backed with a disciplined focus on operations and execution to enable TCS Europe achieve record growth in revenues and margins. Subsequent to his stint in Europe, Girish headed TCS’s Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean region. He later, took up the position of Corporate Vice-President in the CEO’s office in Mumbai where he rolled out several global strategic initiatives setting the tone for TCS’s rapid growth.

    A proven leader and a strong proponent of Business 4.0 philosophy, Girish’ passion and commitment to innovation and technology extends beyond the world of business. Girish serves on the board of Amsterdam based Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a pioneer in global sustainability reporting. He is a member of CII International Council and also serves on the International Boards of Nyenrode University in Netherlands. He is a recipient of the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal from the Mayor of Amsterdam in recognition of his meritorious service to the city of Amsterdam. In 2017, The Australian Government appointed Girish as the Business Champion for New Colombo Plan. In 2018, Singapore Human Resource Institute (SHRI), recognized Girish with the “Leading CEO” award amongst a list of top CEOs.

    Girish holds a Master’s degree in Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Technology from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.

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  • Yulanda Chung (Head of Sustainability, Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank)

    Yulanda Chung

    Head of Sustainability, Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank

    Yulanda Chung joined DBS in 2017 and is currently Head of Sustainability of DBS Institutional Banking Group in Singapore. She spearheads the development and implementation of the bank’s responsible financing framework and advises on environmental and social issues pertaining to client activities and transactions.

    Yulanda was previously the head of sustainable finance at Standard Chartered in London, where she shaped the bank’s policies and governance procedures on sustainable lending and investments.

    Before joining the banking sector, she was an equity analyst for the mining and building materials sectors at RobecoSAM (previously known as Sustainable Asset Management).

    She graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University.

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  • Fraser Thompson (Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Sun Cable)

    Fraser Thompson

    Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Sun Cable

    Dr. Fraser Thompson is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Sun Cable, which aims to bring Australia’s world-leading solar resource potential to ASEAN and ultimately to the broader Indo-Pacific region. Sun Cable is building the Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL) - the world’s largest solar PV farm in Australia’s Northern Territory, with undersea power cable to Singapore and Indonesia, and ultimately the rest of Southeast Asia. The project, which has been granted Major Project Status by the Australian Government, is backed by two of the world’s most successful business leaders, Andrew Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes.

    Fraser is also Managing Director and co-founder of AlphaBeta, an economic strategy firm with headquarters in Singapore, which aims to integrate economics and strategy to support business and government decision-making. Fraser has led a range of sustainability projects for AlphaBeta, including developing ASEAN’s sustainable urbanisation strategy, working with the Tropical Forest Alliance, the World Economic Forum on its New Nature Economy Report, and various projects with Temasek.

    Fraser previously led McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), the economic research arm of McKinsey, in Southeast Asia, and was also a consultant with McKinsey for 6 years, having worked across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Prior to joining McKinsey, Fraser worked at The World Bank focused on East Asia and Northern Africa, and as an economics tutor at Oxford University. Fraser also served as the Inaugural President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in ASEAN and as a board member of AustCham Singapore.

    Fraser received a Doctorate and Masters in Economics from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Fraser is a keen runner, and has represented Australia at international level.

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  • Simon Baptist (Global Chief Economist & Editorial Director of The Economist Intelligence Unit)

    Simon Baptist

    Global Chief Economist & Editorial Director of The Economist Intelligence Unit

    Simon Baptist is Editorial Director and Chief Economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit. Prior to his current role, he has held a number of other senior management and editorial positions in the business, including Managing Director for Asia, Regional Director of our Asia editorial team, Director of Global Forecasting, and Consulting Director in both Europe and Asia

    Simon’s focus is on the global economy, national and international political developments, and public policy. He engages with business, government and international organisations, helping them to understand the operational and strategic implications of the EIU’s forecasts.

    He has a doctorate in economics from and was a lecturer at Oxford University, along with degrees in economics and science from the University of Tasmania. His academic research investigated technology and the determinants of productivity in manufacturing firms.

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