Television
After working as a broadcast journalist internationally for around two decades, mainly for CNBC Asia based in Singapore, I switched to communications and digital media roles at INSEAD global business school at the end of 2006.
Most recently, I have been writing articles based on faculty research for Singapore Management University.
Television
In January 2024, approximately 2.1 million British voters who have lived abroad for more than 15 years regained the right to vote, bringing the total of eligible voters overseas to 3.5 million. Westminster Watch travelled to Alicante, home to more Brits than anywhere else in Spain, to see how those living abroad feel about the state of politics in their home country, and how they intend to vote in this year’s general election.
Highlights of coverage for CNBC Asia as Regional Correspondent (1996-2002).
Highlights of coverage for CNBC Asia as Regional Correspondent (1996-2002).
Radio
Articles
The global financial crisis of 2007-2009 prompted calls for greater transparency into auditing processes, and since 2013, the auditors of UK-listed companies have been required to highlight key audit matters or KAMs. However, there has been 'mixed evidence' regarding the impact of the regulation and whether investors find such disclosures useful.
Emerging market multinational corporations (EMNCs) have been in the headlines recently due to TikTok’s travails in the United States. SMU Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship, David Gomulya, who has conducted a comprehensive review of EMNCs and their political connections, said that “on paper, TikTok is not owned by the Chinese government but how can anybody disprove there’s no pressure or influence from the Chinese government? It’s just not black and white.”
Autonomous driving systems (ADSs) are complex as they consist of modules such as perception, localisation, prediction, motion planning and control. Each module performs specific tasks which can enable self-driving cars to operate safely and efficiently.
SMU Assistant Professor Shilpa Madan says that while it seems obvious that low-wage workers should earn enough to afford basic necessities, fierce debates on this topic suggest otherwise.
SMU Assistant Professor Nathan Peng is exploring how to measure local political dynamics in Indonesia to make development aid more effective at fostering economic growth.
SMU Associate Professor Christoph Treude examines the foundations for studies on open source software and protestware.
China's anti-corruption drive, which was launched some 10 years ago, has brought major benefits to the country's enterprises and financial markets, according to SMU Associate Professor Yue Heng and his co-researchers. However, there may also be downsides.
SMU Assistant Professor Ngoei Wen-Qing examines how the US reacted to China's efforts to influence the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia during the early Cold War and how China may be adopting the same strategy nowadays via social media.
SMU Assistant Professor Narae Lee has co-authored two papers on how some firms may be taking advantage of weak environmental standards or monitoring. There are clearly implications for policymakers.
Private markets have had an impact on a wide range of industries, including hospitality. What's the outlook now for private markets and PE?
A study by SMU and INSEAD researchers finds that firms initiating share buyback programmes achieve 'significantly higher' excess returns if their CEOs are regarded as trustworthy.
A new study by SMU Associate Professor Hu Jianfeng and his co-researchers examines the impact of the introduction of financial derivatives to assess information 'spillover' on corporate policies.
Is there a linear, structured approach to developing innovation? Insights from the Institute of Business Creativity at EHL Hospitality Business School.
Money is fairly easy to give; you just write a cheque. Talking about marginalisation and change is easy too. "The harder thing to do is giving your time and yourself to the cause. And that," says Pamela Hartigan, "is what is critical to social innovation."
SMU Associate Professor Darius Chan argues that if companies take part in arbitration proceedings, they should go all the way rather than deciding to boycott proceedings halfway through.
A major new study has highlighted the key skills that innovative and creative entrepreneurs need to develop. According to Hal Gregersen, an INSEAD professor and co-author of a six-year-long study into disruptive innovation involving some 3,500 executives, there are five 'discovery' skills you need but, he says, you don't have to be 'great in everything.
SMU researchers find that increased competition and pharmacy ownership are 'likely' reasons why millions of Americans misuse highly potent painkillers. Policymakers, they say, may want to consider strengthening monitoring and regulations.
An award-winning study by SMU Associate Professor Sterling Huang and his co-researchers has found that 'cost stickiness' due to pay transparency can be a major problem for companies when they are fighting for survival.
Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly going to have an impact on the hotel industry with bots - robots and chatbots - playing a greater role.
SMU Associate Professor Liu Han-Wei urges governments to leave 'enough flexibilty' when regulating new technologies such as artificial intelligence as they are constantly evolving.
SMU Assistant Professor Terry van Gevelt's latest research highlights the difficulties in communicating the future impacts of climate change, especially to climate sceptics.
What are the roles universities and higher education institutions are heading to? Academic Denis Berthiaume highlights the key trends and changes.
In the second article of a three-part series, INSEAD Professor Horacio Falcao tells INSEAD Knowledge editor Stuart Pallister about strategies for creating and claiming value in negotiations.
Researchers at EHL Hospitality Business School are developing a forecasting model to predict guest stays at Swiss hotels. What's in it for hoteliers?
Luxury hospitality is at risk of becoming obsolete, according to PwC Global industry leader for hospitality and tourism, Nicolas Mayer. That’s because it no longer fulfills the ‘needs and desires’ of clients that they couldn’t get elsewhere.
French master chef Joël Robuchon died at the age of 73. EHL Executive Chef Philippe Gobet, who worked with Robuchon in the 80s & 90s, shares his memories.
Hiring talented chefs, building trust, and maintaining creativity standards are key strategic ingredients for successful international restaurant expansion.
Whenever you hear a news item about artificial intelligence and robots, the message is usually this: jobs are going to disappear, with perhaps millions of people facing long-term unemployment. In the view of futurist, Gary A. Bolles however, we shouldn’t just focus on the negatives. We should look at these developments as an opportunity.
Tess Mattisson, Director of Marketing for Choice Hotels Europe provides insights into content marketing and digital transformation.
A study into critical innovation and knowledge economy skills in Europe and Asia by INSEAD's eLab has found there are striking differences between the regions.
How can the hospitality industry do more with less? Frugal innovation advocate Navi Radjou outlines its core principles for the hotel business.
Various countries are cracking down on hotel booking sites, on concerns about search results rankings, pressure selling, discount claims, and hidden charges.
Celebrity chefs are expensive but they can bring instant brand recognition to your hotel restaurant. So is hiring a celebrity chef worth it?
What is the future of food and where is gastronomy heading? Although the quality of produce remains ever-important, transparency is now critical for consumers.
SMU researchers aim to develop a robust artificial intelligence system that will be able to identify images of Singaporean dishes correctly.
Are there too many appellations resulting in information overload?
Should hotels offer a loyalty program or not? Top executives from the Dorchester Collection and the Edition London share their views.
Major operators in the serviced apartment sector are looking to differentiate their properties from traditional hotels and Airbnb.
What will the hotel room look like in the future? Flat-screen TVs and wi-fi are now standard, so you now need to find unique services and amenities.
How are Chinese hotel chains developing overseas? Some brands open new hotels, others make alliances.
Nicholas Bloy (MBA ‘86D), co-Managing Partner of Navis Capital, speaks to INSEAD Knowledge Editor Stuart Pallister about the development of private equity in Asia.
SMU Associate Professor Tony Tang is developing digital tools which would allow people to plan their holidays and collaborate on projects by navigating 360-degree videos.
SMU Associate Professor Chen Liang says software developers need to be aware of the potential costs of launching major product upgrades.
SMU Associate Professor Ding Xuhua and his team say they have developed a novel way of tackling malware and are now looking to extend their project to cloud-based systems.
SMU Assistant Professor Hu Zihan has been studying the impact of unintended policy consequences related to competition at a middle-ranking university in China.
As part of our Leading Hospitality Through Turbulent Times series, journalist Stuart Pallister reports on a guest lecture by Mahdi Mokrane, Head of Investment Strategy and Research, Patrizia AG, on Post Covid-19 Real Estate Investment Strategies.
Led by SMU Provost Professor Timothy Clark, SMU and NTU researchers are joining forces to conduct a potentially ground-breaking study into the speaking techniques and themes deployed by the country's leaders.
A study by SMU researchers finds that university education plays an important role in nurturing students' digital literacy and cultural intelligence.
EHL Insights is a central source of actionable insights into the World of Hospitality, Business & Education
Videos
Harvard's Michael Porter on long-term strategy in a downturn.
INSEAD professor Hal Gregersen reveals in a new study what key skills are needed to develop innovative and creative entrepreneurs.
Professor Luigi Zingales of Chicago Booth School of Business warns that without a rebalancing of the relationship between business and politics, America is in danger of becoming a crony capitalist state.
While many are already talking about the notion of a shift in power from West to East, a thought-provoking book by author Martin Jacques called When China rules the world takes this even further by proclaiming that China will not only thrive in the 21st century, but will do so at the expense of the United States.
NUS Business School brings together an expert panel in Shanghai for the fifth Wee Cho Yaw Singapore-China Finance and Banking Forum.
Della Bradshaw, Business Education Editor of the Financial Times, speaks to NUS about changes in education, school rankings and the rise of Asian business schools.
An agricultural business run by NUS EMBA alumni in southwest China looks to change the face of Chinese farming and change the lives of rural communities.
Chinese actor Jet Li on the One Foundation. Filmed in Singapore, 2008.
After five years of double-digit expansion, the worlds fastest-growing economy has succumbed to the economic chill wind sweeping across the globe. Chinas economy slowed to an annual growth clip of 9 per cent in the third quarter from 10.1 per cent in the previous quarter well below the consensus forecast of 9.7 per cent. With the credit crisis buffeting global economic growth, Chinas industrial production and construction declined due to weaker export orders, factory closures for the...
Jean-Claude Larréché, the Alfred H. Heineken Chaired Professor of Marketing at INSEAD,spoke with INSEAD Knowledge and shared the results of his ten-year research project into what he calls "The Momentum Effect" a phenomenon that can lead to efficient self-sustaining growth.
INSEAD Professor Randel Carlock talks to Knowledge editor Stuart Pallister about succession and stewardship in family businesses.
When entering into negotiations, we should always take into account cultural factors such as the educational or religious background of the person sitting across the table, but, says INSEAD professor Horacio Falcao, many people both underestimate and overestimate the cross-cultural aspects.
As we brace ourselves for what threatens to be the worst economic slump since the Great Depression, one company seems to be relatively unscathed by the global financial meltdown. According to Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive officer of performance troupe Cirque du Soleil, whose shows still play to sell-out audiences, he is confident that his company will ride out the recession.
In a new book called Dance with chance, making luck work for you authors Spyros Makridakis, Robin Hogarth and Anil Gaba suggest that while there are events that you cant anticipate, there are better ways of dealing with risk.
Europe today is suffering from a skills shortage, made even worse by the economic crisis. Over the past decade, many business leaders have stressed that Europe is simply not producing, attracting, or retaining sufficient numbers of scientists, engineers and IT specialists to meet the requirements of its industries, and the ambition of its Lisbon Agenda - that is, to lead the global knowledge economy. Focusing on this critical issue, INSEAD wrote the background report for the recent European...
Environmental issues are becoming increasingly hard to ignore these days. For many companies, it has become a licence to operate. Those who don't consider the environmental impact of their operations will find themselves at a disadvantage, not just because their competitors are doing it, but also because the public demands it.
John Elkington's work advising businesses on sustainable strategies has earned him numerous accolades including the Dean of Corporate Social Responsibility by BusinessWeek in 2004. Here, he discusses social innovation and entrepreneurship and its potential to become an increasing part of companies' agendas.
"Today more than half of the total stock market value of corporations lies in intangible assets such as brands ... The brand is the business." This statement by Shelly Lazarus, chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide at the World Effie Festival 2008, sums up why brand building is important for companies. In this climate of the brand imperative, advertising gurus converged on Singapore for the conference which celebrates advertising effectiveness.
While many multinational firms are choosing to outsource services and production to Asia, one company says it's looking beyond lowering costs and is aiming to 'globalise its corporate brand' by developing a major R&D base in India. Wim Elfrink of Cisco Systems, who holds the unique corporate title of Chief Globalisation Officer, says cost differentiation at the company is "a bonus, but the not the main driver anymore." The networking firm is investing around 1.2 billion dollars in a...
Can you walk away from the negotiating table with a contract in your pocket and your ethics intact? This is the third and final installment in a series of videos on value negotiation from INSEAD professor Horacio Falcao.
As it turns out, Big Bang - the deregulation of stock markets across Europe back in 1986 - really was an event that shook the world. Author and independent stock analyst Cyrus Mewawalla tells INSEAD Knowledge that deregulation, greed and deceit are at the root of today's financial crisis, and suggests ways to return to ethical banking.
How do Asia's emerging giants measure on the innovation scale and can they shake off their reputation for imitation rather than innovation?
Are men or women better at investing? "This is not only a fun question but it is of great practical value," says INSEAD Assistant Professor of Finance Lily Fang, who hosted a Women and Money forum at INSEAD recently.
Nicholas Bloy speaks to INSEAD Knowledge about the development of private equity in Asia where it's gone from being a 'slightly dodgy' industry to one which is gaining legitimacy.
Asia's private equity star is shining bright yet only one third of global limited partnerships (LP) have allocations to Asia. What does this mean for private equity investors seriously contending with Asia?
A study into critical innovation and knowledge economy skills in Europe and Asia by INSEAD's eLab has found there are striking differences between the regions.
In August, the Bancroft family gave up control of Dow Jones, the publishing group it had owned for some 105 years. The group, which includes the Wall Street Journal, had been taken over by another family-controlled business, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, for US$5 billion.
When it comes to doing business in China, going big may not always be the right answer. For agribusiness giant Cargill, the company has had to adapt its global business model to China's diverse domestic economies.
We've been so focused on the financial crisis that we've neglected to pay attention to other issues, which, if left on the backburner, could upset the status quo. That's the view of futurist and business strategist Peter Schwartz.
Japan's economy has been in dramatic decline, says INSEAD professor Stewart Black. What's causing its malaise and can we expect a rebound?
With prices in the US rising at their slowest pace since records began and unemployment at high levels, the Federal Reserve is pumping $600 billion into Treasury securities in a bid to stimulate the economy. In an exclusive interview with INSEAD Knowledge, Sir Andrew Large (MBA '70), a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, talks to Knowledge editor Stuart Pallister about the Fed's quantitative easing efforts, the dollar, inflation and about the calls for a return to the gold...
INSEAD Professor Horacio Falcao talks about strategies for creating and claiming value in negotiations.
Pippa Malmgren, a former advisor to US President George W Bush on economics, spoke at a Global Private Equity Initiative (GPEI) event at INSEAD in Singapore. She talks here to INSEAD Knowledge about national debt problems.
From the most mundane transaction to strategic high-level boardroom dealings, knowing how to negotiate is integral to success and survival. Yet few have mastered the art of successful negotiation or value negotiation as INSEAD Affiliate Professor of Decision Sciences, Horacio Falcao, calls it.
By not ending too early, the current financial and economic crisis can actually be beneficial for shareholder value, says Urs Peyer, INSEAD associate professor of finance.
China's emerging economy is an enormous success story and its remarkable, say two INSEAD academics, because it's really one big experiment. In their book, "The Future Of Chinese Capitalism," Gordon Redding and Michael Witt say that different parts of China are trying different things to find the best formula.
China's economy is booming, but one of the major challenges facing the country will be leadership -- or the lack of it -- in political or business spheres. INSEAD Affiliate Professor of Asian Business and Comparative Management, Michael Witt, says that although the Communist Party still tightly rules China, the leadership in Beijing does "not have a lot of power," with the result that it's difficult to get things implemented.
China's economy is booming and many multinational companies are looking to tap the Asian giants potential. However, according to Peter Bowie, CEO of Deloitte China, foreigners wanting to do business with the Chinese appear to be ill prepared because their pre-conceived notions about China are simply outdated.
Bain and Co worldwide managing director Steve Ellis shares his thoughts on the financial crisis.
As CEOs increasingly turn to technology to help them cope with a rapidly changing business environment, chief information officers (CIOs) are no longer simply the IT guys. Increasingly, they are expected to play a more strategic role. According to the 2008 ASEAN CIO Leadership Study based on a survey of some 160 CIOs in six Southeast Asian countries - CIOs are finding that this change in responsibilities also means that a new set of skills is required to carry out the job.
Over the past two years, approximately 100 million people have been pushed into poverty globally as a result of increased food prices. Gains in poverty reduction efforts in developing countries are at risk if governments fail to protect the poor from rising food prices, says Vikram Nehru, the World Bank's Director of Poverty Reduction and Economic Management and Acting Chief Economist for East Asia. "It's like a silent tsunami in the sense that there's no dramatic footage that can bring home...
Photo Gallery