After graduating from Frasers Property’s second batch of Management Associate programme, Mr Chia Kok Ben (left) is currently with the Group Investment Team, evaluating the business models of enterprising start-ups, which allows him to appreciate the shifting and evolving nature of the real estate value chain.
Chia Kok Ben, Senior Executive, Group Investment
I was inducted into Frasers Property through the Management Associate Programme in July 2018. During my 18-month rotation, I have had the privilege to work under Group Treasury and the Finance team of Frasers Hospitality Trust, before joining Group Investment as an analyst.
A healthy workplace culture at Frasers Property is what gets me to work every morning. Having collaborative colleagues to take on projects together and trade ideas in a respectful manner is what makes the working experience not only enjoyable but enriching as well.
Multi-faceted challenges call for diverse skills
In my current role, I evaluate and provide assessment on our company’s operational efficiency as well as strategic investments that augment the Group’s business strategies. These initiatives usually require us to anticipate and balance between a host of considerations, which can be highly complex and of differing nature, such as commercial, legal, tax, corporate governance and so on. More often than not, we work with relevant departments through focused sessions where they lend their diverse expertise and experience to the table. It helps greatly that my supervisors and colleagues keep an open-door approach. Besides gaining insights into a wide range of perspectives, I also get to hone my core skills in data and scenario analysis as well as financial projections.
Sharpening our competitive edge through technology partnerships
Being part of a team big on progressiveness, we keep an eye on investment opportunities in technology companies which are synergistic with our identity as a provider of space. I have had the opportunity to be involved in collaborations with like-minded partners such as JustCo, Asia Pacific’s leading premium flexible workspace provider, and RATIO, the world’s first robotic café and lounge. Both JustCo and RATIO have recently rejuvenated our spaces at The Centrepoint and also enhanced our customers’ experience with their respective offerings of tech-enabled flexible workspaces and robotic baristas serving customisable coffee and cocktails.
A culture of collaboration
While I was with Group Treasury, I got to work with the team to set up an Euro Medium Term Note bond programme. At the time, the team was trying to catch a certain window in the market to raise funds, we had to operate on an accelerated timeline. At certain points of the process, we found ourselves overwhelmed by the various workstreams such as preparing the prospectus, reviewing legal documentation and liaising with numerous parties. Naturally, I was concerned about the looming deadline and various implications and scenarios which could potentially arise. Thankfully, we received help from several colleagues despite the work being well beyond their obligations and were also managing their own deliverables. It really takes strong teamwork and collaboration to bring a project to fruition.
Kok Ben (left in the first row) and his colleagues who were involved in workshops to identify tenants’ needs and preferences as part of the journey to enhance customer experience.
At Frasers Property, we believe that ‘Experience Matters’, where our collective experiences and customer-centric mindset spur us to deliver services and products which are truly differentiated for the customers. All in all, I am thankful for the encounters and growth with Frasers Property. I am looking forward to more exciting milestones and inspiring experiences with the great team that I have.
Kok Ben standing near the community mural wall which features Singapore’s iconic attractions at Northpoint City, a popular suburban mall under Frasers Property Retail near Yishun MRT station. He is thankful for the collaborative and supportive workplace culture at Frasers Property Group and looks forward to more exciting milestones and inspiring experiences with the team.
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As our Management Associate, you will get ample of opportunities to be placed at the frontline of our diverse, multinational operations and work alongside some of the finest minds in global real estate, as we collaborate on creating experiences that matter to our customers.
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