Latest news with #Jomo
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Exploring the evolving role of CFOs
Wealth of experience: Jomo talking during the keynote session at the CFO Forum 2025 at W Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Senior finance leaders and industry experts from across Malaysia converged at the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Forum 2025 to explore the evolving role of CFOs in a rapidly changing business landscape. The two-day event organised by Star Media Group (SMG), held at the W Hotel Kuala Lumpur from Aug 13-14, highlighted how finance leaders are moving beyond traditional financial gatekeeping to become strategic innovators and key drivers of digital change. The forum kicked off with a keynote session by Khazanah Research Institute research adviser Prof Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram who has decades of experience in global economic policy. Jomo shared that finance leaders must navigate an unstable and unpredictable global environment shaped by geopolitical forces and especially with the implementation of tariffs by the United States. 'There's no single solution for how finance leaders should balance short-term agility and long-term resilience in the business. 'This is because every company faces different situations, especially depending on their industry,' he said. Following the keynote address, Orange Business CFO for Asia Pacific François Bresson presented a session on how the CFO's role is shifting from managing finances to leading business strategy and innovation. The day's events also featured a spotlight session by Airwallex Malaysia country manager Aren Yip, gold sponsor of the event, who spoke on Harnessing Fintech for Global Growth. Yip highlighted Malaysia's potential to become South-East Asia's leading financial hub, driven by its digital-savvy population and robust regulations. 'CFOs need easy access to global financial tools like multi-currency accounts and local payouts to help Malaysian businesses expand regionally,' he said. 'Companies may face risks like losing money due to following the traditional way of transactions which are slower. 'Hence, when costs rise uncontrollably, profit margins are squeezed, leaving companies with less profit from each sale,' he said, noting however that international companies in Singapore and Hong Kong are already adapting to it. He also advised about changing perceptions of CFOs, who have been in the industry for many years, to be agile by adapting to consolidating systems, reducing manual workflows, and not becoming just a cost centre. The forum featured insightful panel discussions between networking sessions. The first panel, titled Delivering Financial Results, was moderated by Deloitte CFO programme leader Ho Kok Yong. Panellists were Arnott's Asia finance director Asia and commercial director Japan Vinayak Sasitharan, Mamee-Double Decker CFO Lionel Lim, Siemens Energy vice-president, finance Asia Pacific Karna Mohan and Warner Music Group finance director for Malaysia and Singapore Lee Pei Lu. This was followed by a discussion on Accelerate Digitalisation which focused on the importance of digital transformation. The panel included leaders from Accenture managing director, strategy and consulting, CFO and enterprise value Kevin Leung, Asahi Holdings Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd senior vice-president group finance Presanya Krishnan, Electrolux director finance controlling BA APAC and MEA and director GSSC KL Joanne Tsung, Veolia Water Technologies Asia Pacific CFO Jessica Pinto and PETRONAS Lubricants International group controller for industrial Devang Merchant. They shared best practices for using new technologies to enhance efficiency and drive growth. The final discussion on Navigating Uncertainty addressed the challenges of today's unpredictable business world. Some distinguished panellists and moderators were Volvo Cars Group head of Asia Pacific (APeC) finance cluster Faisal Irfan, Fosroc regional finance controller for Asia Diana Cheang, HAVI Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd country head of finance Christina Ong, NTT Data Payment Services executive director and chief financial officer Lim Chee Keat and SAP Malaysia Sdn Bhd chief financial officer Jessica Low. Together they explored how CFOs can leverage next-generation financial tools such as advanced analytics and real-time data to make better decisions and prepare for the future. The CFO Forum provided a powerful platform for professionals to exchange knowledge, strengthen decision-making, and boost their organisations' brand visibility. The event served as a catalyst for growth and innovation, equipping leaders to drive business value in a dynamic and complex economic landscape.
Metropolis Japan
12-06-2025
- Metropolis Japan
Tokyo Day Trip: Discovering Omiya, Saitama
Credit: Ocdp Omiya is a beast of a transport hub. Connecting Tokyo with northern Japan, the city's major station sees some fifteen train lines surging through it, including six shinkansen bullet trains. For diehard train aficionados, this fact alone would elevate Omiya to celebrity status. And for everyone else, Omiya makes for a great day trip from Tokyo—just 30 minutes away but packed with surprising charm. Unlike most modern celebrities, however, there's a bit more substance beneath Omiya's transport skin. With shrines dating back thousands of years to being the center of bonsai culture, Omiya is quintessential Japan, surprising everyone with its rich treasure trove of art, culture and history. Credit: PhotoNetwork The name omiya is an Indigenous Japanese word meaning great shrine. The inspiration for it comes from the city's famous Hikawa Shrine, one of only two shrines to be awarded the title of ichinomiya , the highest-ranked shrine in the old Musashi Province. Established in the late 5th century, the shrine runs deep with pedigree having been designated an official Imperial shrine by no less a personage than Emperor Meiji himself. The shrine's beautiful two-storied romon gate, with its bright vermilion coloring acting as a spiritual ward against evil, is most appealing. Surprisingly, despite being one of the nation's major shrines, Hikawa is a rather tranquil location with plenty of space for a contemplative visit. A 15-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station or a 10-minute walk from either Kita-omiya or Omiya-koen stations on the Tobu Urban Park Line. Credit: lienyuan lee As a post station on the old Nakasendo highway connecting Edo with Kyoto, Omiya has always been part of Japan's travel history. This heritage finds a home with the Omiya Railway Museum. This simple name belies its truly massive hangar-like two-storied structure. Filled to the absolute brim with original steam locomotives, bullet trains and passenger carriages, there is even a luxurious carriage used only by the Imperial family. The museum also features model trains zooming about in room-sized dioramas. Model displays of historical Japanese trains dot the facility. There is even a massive play center full of train toys and a mock train station cafe complete with rubber lunch boxes and ingredients that the children can prepare. A 3-minute ride to Tetsudo Hakubutsukan Station from Omiya Station on the New Shuttle Line from Omiya Station. Saitama often gets overlooked when it comes to Japanese history, but Omiya is fully represented at the Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore. Considering that the region was part of the old Musashi Province, the largest province in the Kanto region that also included Tokyo, there is a lot of history and culture to be had. The museum is themed on the ideas of history, folklore and fine arts. Its permanent collection showcases pieces from Japan's ancient Jomon period (circa 1000 BCE) to the more recent Edo period. There are also regular exhibitions featuring national treasures and important cultural properties. Regular workshops allow visitors the chance to make exhibit-inspired folk crafts. A 5-minute walk from Omiya-koen Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line. Credit: Norio Nakayama Omiya Park and its 67 hectares is Saitama's most visited, with over one thousand cherry blossoms within its borders. Designated as one of Japan's top 100 places to view the cherry blossoms, the sight of the trees in full bloom is a memorable one. The park is also home to a small zoo with an open bird aviary. A children's retro fairground is perfect for families looking to scratch their nostalgia itches. There are several large ponds, sporting stadiums and that much sought-after commodity, space. That space, in fact, turns out to be three parks combined with the creatively named Second Park home to around 450 apricot trees. It is an official must-see during the annual Japanese Apricot Festival in late winter/early spring. A 10-minute walk from either Omiya-koen or Kita-omiya stations on the Tobu Urban Park Line or a 15-20 minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station. Credit: TypeZero Omiya's Bonsai Village is one of the more extraordinary examples of the positive collaboration between citizens and culture. In fact, six local neighborhood bonsai nurseries share their green space with the public. The village was established after the Great Kanto Earthquake and displays over 100,000 examples of the famous bonsai art. Along with the private bonsai gardens, the village includes the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. Dedicated solely to the art, history and heritage of bonsai, the museum is the world's first-ever publicly run bonsai gallery. It displays over 120 miniature masterpieces, some over 1000 years old. The Great Bonsai Festival, another village drawcard held between 3-5 May, attracts enthusiasts from all around the world. A 5-minute walk from the East Exit of Toro Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line or a 10-minute walk from Omiya-koen Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line. Looking for more day trip ideas from Tokyo? Check out our other guides: 1. Tokyo Day Trip: Kumagaya, Saitama 2. Tokyo Day Trip: Things to Do in Yokosuka 3. Tokyo Day Trip: Kawagoe's Edo-Era Charm 4. Tokyo Day Trip: Enoshima Caves, Shrines and Sea Views
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Made In Chelsea's Olivia Bentley shows off her chiseled abs in a tiny bikini for racy snap
Olivia Bentley ensured all eyes were on her with her latest Instagram post on Thursday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 29, posed up a storm in a tiny paisley-print bikini that showed off her incredible figure. The daring two-piece featured a baby blue waist and strap detailing and she accessorised with dainty jewellery. Olivia shielded her eyes with a pair of black sunglasses as she struck a pose for the sexy snap. She simply captioned the post with a sun emoji. Last month, Olivia showcased her washboard abs in a skimpy bikini as she shared an album of snaps to Instagram. The reality star wowed in a khaki two-piece which featured a golden ring design. To accessorise, Olivia kept it simple with a dainty gold chain necklace which matched her thick gold bangle. She finished her beachy look with a pair of large aviator spectacles and opted for a sun kissed no-makeup look. Olivia showcased her natural beauty as she lifted her luminous blonde tresses into a chic middle-parted up-do. It appeared to remind her fans of her time on Made In Chelsea as they flocked to her comments to say they miss her on the show. One penned: 'Beautiful women so much on MIC'; 'Miss you on made in chelsea'. And while her fans may have confessed that they miss the reality star on the show, she recently revealed the 'real reason' why she left. She found fame on the reality programme back in 2016 and has decided to take a break from filming the E4 show after eight years. A spokesperson said Olivia wanted to focus on her own business Jomo after her relationship breakdown with Tristan Phipps last year. However, the TV personality has now said one factor played a major role in her realise it was time for a break. Speaking with Pop Sugar, Olivia said: 'I was struggling with deciding whether to stay on the show or not. 'The last series was really hard and speaking honestly, I was drinking a lot more than I normally do. I was drinking unnecessarily and to mask sadness. 'I was relying on booze to give me energy, make me feel happier, give me confidence — all the wrong reasons. 'I was trying to bring the energy to be the Liv that everyone thought I was but inside, I was really unhappy, and that's why I stopped drinking. 'But I'm still close with my friends who are on the show and our friendships have stayed the same.' Earlier this year, a source told The Sun that Olivia was tired of being at the front of all the drama on the hit reality show. They said: 'Liv has been at the forefront of all the drama for years - she's been there the longest out of everyone. 'It's been hard-going in recent series with her relationship with Tristan breaking down and she realised she needs to take a step back for her own good. 'She's in a really great place and still loves the show so is taking a step back for now. There's some new stars joining the cast who are ready and raring to shake things up a bit.' A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed earlier this year: 'Liv Bentley has been sharing her life with Made in Chelsea audiences for the past eight years and is now taking a short but well-earned break from the series to focus on her business – JOMO. 'We look forward to welcoming her back to the show later this year.' Liv has been on the show since series 11 back in 2016, starting off as a previous fling of Sam Thompson. She went on to be a central character on the show, with her on-and-off relationship with Tristan, 28, being a hugely dramatic storyline. She is believed to be currently single after the couple split once and for all last year, with the messy breakup was documented on the Channel 4 show. Both stars moved on with other partners, with Liv dating David Templer before realising she wasn't ready for another relationship.
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Colin Sheridan: My son's Fomo is so strong, he wants to attend Pope's funeral
I learned a new phrase this week. One that perfectly reflects my current zeitgeist. Jomo — or joy of missing out. It is the antonym of Fomo (fear of missing out), a term which aptly applies to my 10-year-old son, and, if anecdotal evidence is anything to go by, 10-year-olds generally. He chooses to live life like he's the human embodiment of a Hemingway sentence, wanting to do everything, all the time, and all at once. Experiencing life to the fullest, etc. If his life was a book, he's adamant it'll be a bestseller, especially on a mundane Monday in March when there's nothing going on, but he's absolutely convinced there is, and we are missing out on it. In that context, we had a difficult conversation this week when I explained to him, we wouldn't be flying to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral but would be cutting grass instead. He loves nothing more than a gathering and the thoughts that other people are having craic in the Vatican will drive him nuts until the white smoke appears and the crowds disperse. That said, he will placate his need for speed and find some good in the grass cutting. Though I'm now reformed, I think I'm to blame for his Fomo, because I too was crippled as a kid with wanting to be everywhere, all the time, all at once. If my brothers were at the bog with my dad, I wanted to be with them. If, on the way to the bog, I passed my friends on the green kicking ball, I'd execute a combat roll out of a moving car to ditch my brothers and join in the football. I'd beg for hours to have sleepovers with my cousins, and the moment after my parents would call my bluff and leave, I'd run out the gate to give chase lest they go and have some fun without me. I think it's one of the reasons I liked school so much. I was no star pupil, but, because everyone I knew was there, I was content that nothing of any consequence could be going on anywhere else. Mercifully, it has softened to the point that social gatherings now represent an opportunity to experience — not Fomo, but Jomo — a very bespoke joy in not being where everyone else is. It may sound antisocial and introverted, but I revel in the notion that people are going places to do things, and I am not. I realise the invitations may dry up after this, but when they are first issued (especially by way of hastily convened WhatsApp groups), I don't even get anxious about turning them down. I feel excited about all the ways I won't go to things. I enjoy plotting my own version of the Irish Exit, one where I don't even show up in the first place. Maybe I've tested and tasted too much. Maybe, like my son, I went too hard, too fast, too soon, and was burned out by my late 20s. I consider myself lucky that social media was not for me the narcotic it now is for kids, because Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, are all fuelled by FoMO and the notion that everybody else's life is better than yours, and everyone is having fun in the place you are not. For me it may have been my brothers at the bog, for teenagers today, it's their friends on a phone screen, seemingly having fun without them. Recently, Peruvian journalist Guillermo Galdos travelled to the Amazon to document the effect the arrival of the internet (through Elon Musk's Starlink) was having on young indigenous kids, who, until then, had never been online. Peruvian journalist Guillermo Galdos travelled to the Amazon to document the effect the arrival of the internet was having on young indigenous kids. The footage of one boy rocking on his hammock scrolling absentmindedly, is oddly jarring. Of course, we need not travel to the Brazilian rainforest to see evidence of abject brain-rot, but there's something profoundly unsettling in watching a child become hooked on a drug in real time. I only came to learn in writing this column that FoMO has been a widely discussed phenomenon in medicine and mental health for over 20 years. Though we make light of it, its worst manifestations present as a range of negative emotions and feelings related to the need to belong. With social media now so nefariously ubiquitous, maybe it's time we took Jomo more seriously, and intentionally set about equipping our children to seek the joy that can be found in missing out on stuff. Nothing beats being there, so the catchphrase goes, but, depending on the 'there,' I'd beg to differ.
