GC: Could you start off by telling me about GuocoLand and its business?

Derek Goh: GuocoLand Limited is listed on the Singapore Exchange and is the property arm of the Hong Leong Group of Malaysia. Our principal businesses are property development, property investment, property management and hospitality. Currently, GuocoLand operates in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, United Kingdom and Australia.

Continue reading “In conversation: Derek Goh, general counsel, GuocoLand”

When the global financial crisis struck in 2008, the impact reverberated far beyond the traditional financial centres of the west. Initial speculation was that Asia would be relatively well insulated from the crisis due to the growing financial independence of the region. But instead, the effects hit at a speed and depth that surpassed all expectations. Under fire, financial institutions sought to reduce their exposure to the region, resulting in a steep decline in the value of currency and equity markets, at a time when the price and volume of exports was plummeting.

Continue reading “Banking on change”

GC: What has been the most significant use of technology that you have adopted in performing your legal function?

Ted Lazarus: Without question, the ability to work collaboratively on documents, presentations and spreadsheets using cloud-based Google applications has transformed the way we do our jobs. Teams of lawyers exchanging ideas in real time, both with each other and with other functions, ensures that all points of view are heard and maximises efficiency.

Continue reading “New tech frontiers and the in-house counsel”

GC: Could you tell me about your role as general counsel of Canon Singapore?

Janette Loh: As the general counsel of Canon Singapore, I have three departments under my care: the legal team, which takes care of day-to-day legal and corporate secretarial matters; the product regulatory team, which focuses on product specific regulatory matters; and the newest addition, the intellectual property team, which was formed with a primary focus on protecting our intellectual property interests in the region.

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Imagine the worst: within the last 72 hours, your company has been hit by a major crisis. Firstly, and most importantly, there may have been serious damage to the community in which you operate.

Continue reading “Beware the black swan”

GC Magazine: Tell me about Digi Telecommunications and your role with the company?

Ola Hanson: Digi is one of the three big telecom operators in Malaysia, listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. It is part of a global telecommunications provide Telenor Group and is a leader in driving progressive and responsible business practices. I was the General Counsel and Head of Legal & Regulatory for Telenor’s Swedish operations before coming over to Asia to work as the General Counsel for Digi.

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Innovation has become a much-used (some might say abused) term. It’s certainly a familiar buzzword in the legal world.

Continue reading “Innovation – knowing the right question to ask”

GC magazine editor Alex Speirs moderated the first panel discussion of the day, entitled ‘Recalibrating the global trade compass’.

Continue reading “ASEAN Horizon Summit 2017”