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Philomena Chen
Head of Asia Pacific/Smart Cities Lead at Department for International TradeThe Department for International Trade (DIT) supports UK exporters and foreign investors, through a global office network. Philomena is the Head of Asia Pacific for DIT’s North West of England and one of 50 strong team that provides one-to-one support for existing and potential exporters, along with a wide range of trade events and activity.
She works with public organisations and private businesses in the cross sectors and in education, technology and smart cities. Philomena leads on North West and Northern Powerhouse trade mission programme to Greater China and South East Asia.
Philomena has over 30 years working with commercial companies and in government organisations in South East Asia and in the UK. She started her career in education and moved to commercial sectors in finance, human resource management, sales & marketing, hospitality management and over the year developed strong networks and collaborative partnerships in diverse East and West international environment. She is a multi-lingual speaker and hold an MBA from the UK.
Nicole Wharfe
Business Services Director of British Chamber of CommerceAs an experienced Business Development, Marketing and Consultancy Professional, Nicole has worked across multiple sectors within the UK and Internationally. Prior to relocating to Singapore 4 years ago, she completed an International MBA at Bournemouth University, specialising in Business in Media incorporating Corporate Law.
Nicole leads the Business Services of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore which incorporates the Trade and Membership Teams, providing support and consultancy for in coming organisations looking to export to Singapore and established businesses in Singapore respectively. Nicole specifically provides specialist Trade advice and support for the Education, Food & Beverage, Technology, Finance and Sport Sectors.
Nicole was born in the UK but grew up overseas, predominantly in Swaziland; Also, Cóte D’Ivoire, Southern Sudan, Washington DC, St. Lucia and Botswana.
Elsie Yim
Senior Trade & Investment Manager at British High CommissionElsie Yim, Senior Trade & Investment Manager has been with Department for International Trade (DIT) and previously UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in British High Commission Singapore for 15 years. She is the sector trade lead for Technology and Smart Cities, supporting UK tech companies into the Singapore market. She previously led on Education, Creative Industries and Sports and Leisure infrastructure sectors. Prior to DIT, she was with the Australian Trade Commission in Singapore in the Food and Drink sector. She has been doing Business Development work for close to 25 years, having worked previously with brands like Starbucks, Burger King and Coffee Club in Franchising and Real Estate.
Charlene Wong
Assistant Director, Innovation of Infocomm Media Development AuthorityCharlene Wong is the Assistant Director (Innovation) with Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore for over 15 years. She graduated with a 2nd upper honours mechanical engineering in National University of Singapore, and a post grad in Law with University of Edinburgh.
Her career started in a local start-up where she learns the skills of an enterprise growth, implementing business and marketing strategies for international partnerships and building relationships in the industries. She spends the next decade in the public service, first developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in 2009, and creating access to enable a Makers-culture in Singapore through labs and tech festivals.
Currently, her innovation portfolio includes the Open Innovation Platform of IMDA, aim to bridge the gaps of digitalisation opportunities from enterprises to government agencies with a pool of vibrant and global digital solvers.
Christabel Koh
Regional IP Business & Trade Advisor for SE Asia at British High CommissionAs the Advisor for Southeast Asia Regional Intellectual Property Business and Trade at the British High Commission in Singapore, Christabel Koh represents the UK Intellectual Property Office, focusing on providing IP support to British businesses. She works closely with the Department of International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as well as the UK-ASEAN Business Council and the British Chambers of Commerce in the region.
Christabel was appointed as the IP Attaché to SE Asia in 2013 by the UK Government. As part of the IP attachés network that spans China, India, Brazil, United States of America and SE Asia, the network is central to the government’s plans to improve IP and trade relations. She coordinated the overall business and government engagement programme for the region and was responsible for various IP and related initiatives to promote UK’s world class IP system and the UK’s commitment to ASEAN through partnerships.
Prior to working for the UK Government, Christabel spent six years at the IP Office of Singapore and the IP Academy, last serving as an Assistant Director of Special Projects. In her roles she focused on international cooperation, IP capacity building and monitored IP developments. She also co-founded Just Tee It in 2007, an online golf portal. Her roles covered product development, marketing and enhancing customers’ online experience.
She holds a Diploma in Quality Engineering & Management from Temasek Polytechnic, Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Nanyang Technological University and Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation from NTU and University of Washington.
Rachael Tiong
Business Development Manager at VistraRachael Tiong graduated with an honours Business (Accountancy) from National University of Singapore, and a post grad CPA accreditation with CPA Australia.
Having worked across multiple sectors in Singapore and within the SEA region, she brings along her unique experiences to provide tailored assistance and comprehensive solutions to companies that would like to expand into Singapore and the rest of the world. She works closely with her clients to ensure that critical local statutory compliance requirements are performed such that the management can focus on growing their business.