In its first-ever event in Asia, ‘CNBC Connect’ goes to Thailand to bring together leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world.
Set against the backdrop of one of the region’s most vibrant economies, CNBC will engage in insightful discussions and exchange ideas on how best to position countries, companies, and society for a fairer, greener and a more profitable future.
This is ‘CNBC Connect: ASEAN and Beyond’.
A day of panels, fireside chats and an interactive ‘CNBC Brainstorm’ session will see business leaders from around the region take to the stage to provide insights into how they are leveraging new opportunities, embracing digital innovations and tackling sustainability to help propel their businesses forward.
John Lombard is the CEO of NTT Ltd. Asia Pacific, a USD 4 billion IT infrastructure and services business with subsidiaries across 16 countries in Asia Pacific and over 12,000 employees.
As the CEO APAC of NTT Ltd., John spearheads the entity’s efforts in the region – currently managing the end-to-end go-to-market, sales, delivery, operations, and profitability across the region. He is an industry veteran of over 30 years with a strong background in developing and leading high-impact organizations, retaining and attracting top talent and transformational leadership.
He has always been passionate about technology, and he is excited to be at the forefront of digital transformation with NTT Ltd. Under his strategic direction, NTT Ltd. is constantly growing and working towards developing innovative solutions across the board.
John is also the co-founder of #HeforShe for Lean In Asia, which helps create an environment that enables women to #LeanIn to their careers and passions. He also serves on the board of directors of Very Special Arts Singapore. John holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia.
As a pioneer in the automotive and EV industry, Jack Cheng believes that next-generation mobility services should incorporate several elements beyond electric vehicles, such as AI, smart healthcare, and robotics, to create innovative applications and experiences. To achieve this vision, an open EV ecosystem is necessary, encouraging collaboration amongst experts in various fields. This led him to propose the concept of the MIH Consortium, leading the MIH team to collaborate with global partners, fostering the development and innovation of the mobility sector.
Before his journey with MIH, Jack was a co-founder of NIO, Inc., and held the positions of Chairman and CEO at XPT, a subsidiary of NIO. Starting his career from the ground up, he accumulated comprehensive experience in component design engineering, product planning, development, and supply chain management. Jack is firmly convinced that these experiences and his ability to empathize have been invaluable to his development, enabling him to excel as a high-ranking leader.
Throughout his career, he has occupied pivotal positions, such as leading Ford's Global Procurement Center, serving as the Chairman and CEO of Magneti Marelli China, and assuming the role of Chairman at Fiat in China. These roles have been instrumental in creating an extensive network and catalyzing business development.
Jack envisions an unparalleled era emerging in the automotive and the smart mobility industry. He is confident that MIH, by rallying its partners, is primed to seize this market opportunity and collectively bring their vision to fruition.
Jack graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
Mr. Chartsiri Sophonpanich is President of Bangkok Bank, a leading Southeast Asian regional bank and Thailand’s market leader in corporate, business and international banking. It is the 6th largest bank in Southeast Asia and the largest bank in Thailand by total assets.
Bangkok Bank was the first Thai bank to establish an international network — opening its first overseas branch in Hong Kong in 1954. It also has a long-standing presence across Southeast Asia, in China and Japan, as well as in major financial centers. Its branch presence extends across 14 economies and comprises the largest overseas network of any Thai bank.
In 2020, Bangkok Bank completed its landmark acquisition of PermataBank in Indonesia. Not only was this the largest intra-ASEAN banking M&A in history, it also provided Bangkok Bank with a strong domestic footprint in Southeast Asia’s two largest economies, Indonesia and Thailand. PermataBank, now one of Indonesia’s top 8 banks, provides Bangkok Bank clients with a broad range of services through its 250 branches across Indonesia.
Its other major international subsidiaries are Bangkok Bank Berhad and Bangkok Bank (China).
Bangkok Bank is the leading underwriter of ESG and sustainability bonds issued in Thailand as well as being a leading provider of transition and renewable energy finance across Asia.
Bangkok Bank employs more than 25,000 people across its domestic and international networks and subsidiaries all of whom are committed to working together as One Family, One Team to serve our customers and enable them to achieve their potential and goals.
The Bank is also a strong supporter of the communities in which it operates and plays an active role in many social development and educational initiatives. For more than seven decades, it has been guided by its philosophy of being a trusted partner and reliable close friend. This emphasizes the value it places on partnership, developing long-term and multi-generational relationships with customers, and being a responsible financial services provider.
Mr. Chartsiri holds Master’s Degrees in Management and Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA.
Dr. Harald Link is the third-generation leader of B.Grimm, established in 1878, B.Grimm has flourished in Thailand for 145 years-a period of six reigns, from King Rama V to the reign of current King Rama X-contributing to the country's medical, infrastructure and energy development.
Today, B.Grimm is a multinational conglomerate with businesses across energy, building and industrial systems, healthcare, transportation, lifestyle and real estate. He has been at the helm of B.Grimm for over 30 years. Under his leadership, B.Grimm continues to set its sights on the future while holding true to the company's core belief of "Doing business with compassion", based on its values of positivity, partnership, professionalism, and pioneering spirit.
It was not until the 1990s when B.Grimm ventured into the energy sector with its investment. B.Grimm Power, which grew from the first greenfield industrial power plant in Amata City in Chonburi to one of Thailand's key power players. B.Grimm Power's current portfolio includes 56 projects in operation, and aims to ramp up its total installed capacity to at least 7,200 MW of secured power purchase agreements by 2025, and further to 10,000 MW by 2030. More importantly, B.Grimm Power is moving strenuously towards realizing net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As all his forefathers, Dr. Link activity engages in various social programmes important to society. Interests close to his heart are education, environment, equestrian sports, classical music and arts. For environment, he plays a leading role in supporting Thailand's "Saving the Tigers" conservation campaign in Thailand to save wild tigers from extinction and restore balance to the jungles.
Dr. Link is the Chairman of the Association of Private Power Producers and a board member of the Thai Red Cross Society, President of the Thailand and the Southeast Asia Equestrian Federation, Chairman of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Chairman of the Princess Mother's Charities Fund of Thailand and board member of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Chadatip Chutrakul is one of Thailand’s top retail development entrepreneurs. She leads the management and operations of one of Bangkok’s most prestigious and successful commercial landmarks, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and ICONSIAM –a globally recognized destination in Bangkok.
Under her leadership, Siam Piwat has grown rapidly, establishing 49 affiliates ranging from retail development to related businesses such as department stores, specialty retailing, high-end restaurant ventures, multi-purpose venue management, marketing communications, and facility management. Siam Piwat’s properties are the most awarded developments in Bangkok, and have won some of the world’s most prestigious awards including the 2018 VIVA Award from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) that recognized Siam Discovery for its ‘cutting edge design’ and named it the ‘best of the best’ in the world. Other global awards include the ‘Best Store Design in the World’ award from the World Retail Awards for Siam Discovery in 2017 and the ICSC’s Asia Pacific Shopping Center Award for Siam Center in 2014 to recognise Siam Center as one of the five most outstanding designs in the world. Siam Piwat’s properties are also regularly ranked among the most top-of-mind destinations among consumers. Siam Paragon has been ranked 6th in the world rankings of ‘most talked about places on Facebook’, and is the only destination in Asia to have made it on to the Top Ten in 2015. ICONSIAM was also named ‘Best Store Design of the Year 2019’ at the World Retail Awards by the World Retail Congress. It was also recognized as the Best Shopping Center at the MAPIC Awards 2019 and won the 2020 VIVA Best-of-the-Best Design and Development Award by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
In 2019, Ms. Chadatip was inducted into World Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress. She was named a Top 50 ‘Forbes Asia Power Woman’ for three consecutive years in 2014-2016, and was also presented the 2016 Asian Women Leadership Award by China Daily and Asia News Network. In 2017 and 2018, she was recognized as one of the 500 most influential figures by BoF (Business of Fashion) 500. She was awarded as an “Outstanding Asian Women Entrepreneur” by ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) in 2018 and also awarded a prize at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020, or AREA 2020 in the Responsible Business Leadership category.
Mrs. Chutrakul is an advisor of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Social Capital Corridor Steering Committee, a member of National Strategy Committee on Developing and Strengthening Human Capital. She is a member of Public-Private Collaborative Committee in Tourist Promotion & MICE, Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee. She is also a committee member of Cultural Promotion Fund as well as National Identity Foundation.
Dr Robert Yap, Executive Chairman of YCH Group, Singapore’s largest homegrown supply chain and logistics provider, is a respected industry leader in the industry. He spearheads the development of sustainable logistics infrastructure by launching Vietnam SuperPortTM, as the first SGConnectTM project launched, integrating a cutting-edge supply chain nerve centre with international dry port and multimodal connectivity. SGConnectTM was incepted under the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC). The mandate is strengthened by the ASEAN Smart Logistics Network (ASLN) initiative to build smart logistics infrastructure in support of ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan 2025. Dr Yap supports ASEAN for supply chain resilience, with the Cambodia SuperPortTM launched in 2022.
Dr Yap is the Presidents of ASEAN Confederation of Employers and Singapore National Employers Federation, Singapore Chair of ABAC, and Singapore Co-Chair for Malaysia-Singapore Business Council. He received the Public Service Star 2023, Public Service Medal 2017, ‘Businessman of the Year’ at the Singapore Business Awards in 2016, NUS Business School Eminent Business (Senior) Alumni Award in 2014, and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007. He serves as the Honorary Advisory Council of the Singapore Computer Society and was part of the Singapore Payment Council.
Dr Yap holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the National University of Singapore and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) honoris causa, in Business Administration from Wisconsin International University. He graduated from Harvard Business School Owner President Management (OPM 21) programme and is a Professor of Practice by Zhejiang International Business School.
Since September 2020, H.E. Mrs. Sibille de Cartier d’Yves has been the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2001. The Ambassador has a Master in Political Sciences.
Successive functions :
November 2001 to March 2002 : Desk Officer, Africa Direction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
March 2002 to July 2002 : Attaché, Belgian Embassy Nairobi
July 2002 to November 2003 : Desk Officer, Africa Direction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
December 2003 to September 2007 : 1st Secretary, Belgian Embassy, Kigali (Rwanda)
September 2007 to July 2011 : Deputy Head of Mission, Belgian Embassy & Permanent Representation to the United Nations & AIEA - Vienna (Austria)
August 2011 to August 2014 : Deputy Director, Direction policy planning, Services of the Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
September 2014 to August 2016 : Counsellor for Middle East and United Nations to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, HE Mr. Didier Reynders
August 2016 – August 2020 : Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Egypt & Sudan
Present function :
Since September 2020, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Thailand, Cambodia , Laos and Myanmar
Wee Wei NG is Accenture’s Senior Managing Director and Market Unit Lead for Southeast Asia, growing the company’s business across the region.
She joined the company in 1995 and held key roles such as the Country Managing Director for Singapore and the Health and Public Service Client Service Group Lead in Southeast Asia. During her extensive 28-year tenure at Accenture, Wee Wei has consistently worked with a wide range of businesses and governments globally. Her focus has been on helping them adapt to the digital age by reimagining and redesigning solutions, implementing complex projects, and driving change in technology and service delivery. Under her leadership, Accenture Singapore also introduced the Singapore Innovation Hub – Future of Cities initiative. This effort aimed to bring together organizations from various sectors to collaborate on developing smart and sustainable urban solutions, reflecting her commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Wee Wei is also a strong advocate for developing people's skills and nurturing the future workforce. She championed initiatives such as the establishment of the Talent Advancement Program, which has played a vital role in shaping and empowering the next generation of professionals within the organization. This also extended to reimagining benefits and adapting to the ever-evolving omni-connected work environment.
Wee Wei sits on the board of Accenture Foundation, an entity set up to financially support initiatives that promote social, charitable, cultural or scientific impact. Outside of Accenture, Wee Wei sits on the board of the Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore and is a member of the Workplace Safety and Health Council.
Ole currently leads IRRI’s country office in Thailand. He is a Senior Scientist and climate change focal point of the Institute. His research group focuses on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation technologies. Ole completed his PhD at the University of Kiel in 2008. In 2010, he joined IRRI as a Collaborative Research Scientist with Dr. Reiner Wassmann.
As climate change specialist, Ole analyzes the GHG balance of different cropping systems with a focus on Southeast Asia. He evaluates different mitigation options through water, fertilizer, and crop residue management. In his research, Ole also identifies suitable conditions to support dissemination of mitigation technologies, particularly a water-saving method known as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) which offers huge potential in reducing methane emissions.
Ole’s expertise in project management and multistakeholder engagement further supports and strengthens the implementation of IRRI’s agenda throughout the field of climate change research and climate-smart technologies. Throughout his years with IRRI, Ole has continually worked with various stakeholders in countries within the region to foster the implementation of climate-smart farming practices. He maintains valuable networks across national institutions in Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Wen Han founded Windrose Technology in March 2022. Prior to founding Windrose, Wen was the Chief Strategy and Financial Officer at autonomous trucking company Plus.
Wen received his MBA degree from Stanford University, and previously worked at Bridgewater Associates and GSR Ventures. Previously Wen received his Bachelor’s degree from Williams College, majoring in Mathematics, Economics, and Spanish.
Miss Poramaporn Prasarttong-osoth, M.D. qualified as a doctor from the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. She also obtained a Diploma in Clinical Science from Mahidol University and completed a Masters in Surgical Science from The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London. In addition, she is a fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCS (Glasg)). She was a lecturer at Department of Surgery, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University for 11 years.
Her management experiences over the years include holding various senior positions in Thailand’s healthcare industry, such as the Assistant Dean of Human Resource at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, the Deputy Hospital Director of BNH Hospital and Hospital Director of Bangkok Hospital.
She is currently the President of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited and Chief Executive Officer - Group 1 of Bangkok Hospital.
Herbert Vongpusanachai is Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand and Head of Indochina, covering Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. He is also member of the DHL Express Asia Pacific Management Board. Mr. Vongpusanachai is responsible for charting the company’s overall business growth driving revenue and shipment volume while introducing innovations to the services and improving international logistics experience to customers.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Vongpusanachai served as Managing Director of DHL Express Hong Kong & Macau from 2016 – 2019. Under his leadership, the team grew both revenue and volume in the B2C and technology sectors, leading to higher standards of productivity and efficiency at the Hong Kong Service Center and Kowloon West Service Center in 2019, which are both among the top three service centers worldwide within DHL Express in terms of volume handled.
Before Hong Kong & Macau, Mr. Vongpusanachai was Managing Director of DHL Express Singapore from 2008 – 2015. He led the company to achieve strong business growth, with positive revenue turnover year-on-year. The company also received several external awards and recognitions in various areas that include customer service excellence, trusted brand, corporate responsibility and sustainability.
He started his career at DHL Express in 2003 as Managing Director of DHL Express Thailand. He played an instrumental role in managing and ensuring the smooth transition of the DHL Express Bangkok Hub to its current location at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. In 2007, his portfolio expanded when he was appointed Managing Director, Thailand and Indochina Region.
Prior to joining DHL Express Thailand, Mr. Vongpusanachai worked with Microsoft Thailand for seven years where he held several senior positions, the most recent being Enterprise and Partner Group Manager.
Mr. Vongpusanachai holds an MBA from the School of Management, Asian Institute of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Computer Science from University of Mount Union, Ohio, U.S.A.
Cindy is an actress, host, and gender equality advocate based in Bangkok, Thailand.
In 2018, Cindy founded #DontTellMeHowToDress, a social movement against gender- based violence and sexual assault. www.donttellmehowtodress.com. Cindy has also penned a children’s book called “My Body My Rules” on the topics of body autonomy and respect. In 2020, she was appointed UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador to Asia Pacific and was named of of BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women 2020. Cindy continues to use creative initiatives and innovative ways to advocate for female empowerment including recently launching a series of workshops for pre-teens around the topic of menstrual health and body confidence.
Christine Tan is the Singapore-based Anchor for CNBC’s longest-running feature programme ‘Managing Asia’ interviewing prominent CEOs and leaders of top companies building successful businesses across Asia. The show celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017, with more than 900 episodes produced.
Tan has more than 30 years of experience in journalism, more than 2 decades of that with CNBC. During her career, she has covered business and financial market impact from major news events like the Asian Economic Crisis, the Dot Com Bubble Crash, 9-11 attacks in the US, SARS Outbreak, Global Financial Crisis, the massive tech disruption and the Covid19 Pandemic Crisis.
Under ‘Managing Asia’, she has covered leadership topics surrounding Entrepreneurship, thriving Family Businesses, Asian Builders, Sustainable Business Practices and navigating through the Covid19 Pandemic.
In 2017, Tan won the inaugural ‘Influential Woman of the Year’ Award by research platform ‘Influential Brands’ for her exemplary achievements and contributions to the media industry. She also won the ‘Best Current Affairs Presenter’ award at the 2008 Asian Television Awards.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and English and a Masters of Arts with Honors in Sociology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Teymoor Nabili is a veteran international journalist and broadcaster, based in Singapore. Over a 30-year career he has anchored, reported and produced news and programmes for the BBC, Al Jazeera, CNBC, CNN and Channel News Asia. He has covered major international news events like, 9/11, the Asian tsunami, the Arab Spring, the Japan earthquake and nuclear meltdown, the Thailand riots and the Iran Presidential election of 2009. Teymoor was awarded the “Best News Presenter” at the Asian Television Awards in 2006, and shared the award for “Best News Story (Sports)” from the Royal Television Society in 2000.
Lorraine Hahn most recently presented CNN International’s regional chat show, Talk Asia and Anchor of CNN’s long running TV program Biz Asia. She is one of the most prominent journalists today with a strong understanding of Asian economic and political issues. Prior to joining CNN Lorraine worked as Anchor/Editor for CNBC, hosting its flagship programs, NBC Asia’s Nightly News, Business Tonight and The Winners.
As an experienced moderator, interviewing business leaders, heads of state and other personalities she was named “highly commended news presenter/anchor” at the Asian TV Awards in December 1999.
Lorraine also produced her own television show, Earth Factor Asia, which is a solutions based environment show focusing on Asia for the PBS network in the United States.
She has been called upon to be Master of Ceremony and Chairperson of various major events that include the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, APEC CEO Meeting, The Global Leadership Forum, the ADB Journalism Award, The Asian Financial Forum and many others.
Lorraine has also been media trainer for banks and multinationals such as Deutsche bank, Microsoft, Accenture, Flextronics to name a few.
Lorraine attended the University of British Columbia, Vancouver and has lectured at the Hong Kong and Tsing Wah Universities on Journalism and media.
AGENDA
9:30AM
REGISTRATION AND PRE-EVENT NETWORKING
10:30AM
WELCOME
10:45AM
OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary General, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
11:00AM
CNBC CATALYST PRESENTS: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
CNBC Catalyst, the commercial arm of CNBC, in partnership with Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited
Banking on ASEAN’s fast growth, Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonanich talks about the importance of relationship-building as he steers Thailand’s largest bank by assets on the tailwinds of an economic recovery post-pandemic while embracing digital transformation to further cement its presence as a key regional player.
Hosted by Lorraine Hahn
11:15AM
MANAGING ASIA: GETTING ASIA FUTURE READY
As Asia gears up to resume growth post-pandemic, companies in the region face a host of challenges from inflation, slowing growth, financial vulnerabilities, and geopolitics. How are businesses in the region navigating through the headwinds to deliver more inclusive and sustainable growth? And find out what leaders in Asia are investing today to build more resilient businesses that can compete and grow in the future economy.
John Lombard, Chief Executive Officer, NTT Asia Pacific
Jack Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, MIH Consortium, a Foxconn initiative
Dr. Robert Yap, Executive Chairman, YCH Group
Dr. Poramaporn Prasarttong-osoth, President, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services
Moderated by Christine Tan
12:15PM
CNBC CATALYST PRESENTS: POWERING TRANSFORMATION
CNBC Catalyst, the commercial arm of CNBC, in partnership with B.Grimm
Thai billionaire Harald Link is transforming energy giant B.Grimm towards renewables, supercharging expansion into ASEAN and beyond. With goals to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the Chairman shares his roadmap for the energy transition and how he is powering up investments into solar, hydro and wind with the aim to triple total capacity to 10 gigawatts by 2030.
Hosted by Lorraine Hahn
12:30PM
LUNCH
2:00PM
CNBC DEBATE: ASIA'S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The climate crisis is escalating, from extreme heat waves to heavy rains and floods. What are leaders in the public and private sectors doing to tackle the investments and structural changes needed to ensure Asia’s economies reach their environmental targets? And can the region chart a sustainable future that will bring us a step closer to a net-zero carbon future?
H.E. Mrs. Sibille de Cartier d’Yves, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
Ng Wee Wei, Senior Managing Director and Southeast Asia Market Unit Lead, Accenture
Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander, Senior Scientist, International Rice Research Institute
Wen Han, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Windrose Technology
Herbert Vongpusanachai, Managing Director, Thailand and Head of Indochina, DHL Express
Moderated by Teymoor Nabili
2:45PM
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH CINDY SIRINYA BISHOP
Cindy Sirinya Bishop, UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific
Moderated by Teymoor Nabili
3:00PM
CNBC CATALYST PRESENTS: CREATING VISIONARIES
CNBC Catalyst, the commercial arm of CNBC, in partnership with Siam Piwat Group
As tourists return to ASEAN, Chadatip Chutrakul and her award-winning luxury malls are going all out to win back the crowds. Known as the visionary who has shaped Thailand’s retail landscape, the CEO of Siam Piwat talks about how she is reinventing luxury retail, weaving sustainability into her retail concepts and creating visionaries to build her next-generation malls.
