Seasoned Finance Leader Brings 20+ Years of Expertise in Financial Strategy, M&A and Digital Transformation to Cleverbridge
Cleverbridge, a leading provider of ecommerce and billing solutions for global software and SaaS companies, today announced the appointment of Markus Scheuermann as Chief Financial Officer, effective as of April 1, 2025.
Markus Scheuermann
Scheuermann is a seasoned senior executive with over 20 years of experience in financial strategy, business development, M&A, and digital transformation within high-performing technology organizations. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Thinkproject Group and has previously held key leadership roles at HolidayCheck Group, Hubert Burda Media, eBay, and McKinsey & Company. Markus will report directly to Wendi Sturgis, Cleverbridge CEO, and be part of an executive leadership team that includes CRO Kevin Feagan, CTO Radu Immenroth, and CHRO Alexander Brochier.
“I’m thrilled to join Cleverbridge at such a pivotal moment as we work toward becoming the industry’s highest-performing merchant of record platform,” said Scheuermann. “My focus is to build upon the company’s exceptionally strong financial position and profitable growth trajectory, positioning us for even greater market expansion as we continue to help our clients achieve their growth ambitions.”
Founded in 2005 in Cologne (Germany) and Chicago (Illinois, USA), Cleverbridge has grown to a global team of 300+ employees, setting new standards as a leading merchant of record (MoR) solution provider. Some of the world’s largest technology companies – including Red Hat, Dassault Systèmes, and Sony – trust Cleverbridge to process payments, manage subscriptions, and simplify the complexities of global ecommerce. In 2024, Cleverbridge achieved record growth, expanding its client portfolio across industries while maintaining 99% logo retention and 100% platform uptime.
“In Markus, we’ve gained not only an accomplished CFO but a visionary leader whose strategic expertise will propel Cleverbridge into its next phase of growth,” said Wendi Sturgis, Cleverbridge CEO. “With a proven track record of leading companies at scale, Markus brings the insight and experience needed to unlock new opportunities and drive our business forward. His leadership will be instrumental as we execute our strategic initiatives and expand our market presence.”
About Cleverbridge Cleverbridge is the all-in-one ecommerce platform for global subscription businesses. As a merchant of record (MoR), we consolidate the essential components of an ecommerce solution – including payments, subscription management, tax/VAT handling, and regulatory compliance – to help businesses offload operational work and automate digital transactions throughout the customer lifecycle. Since 2005, leading B2B and B2C technology companies across industries have trusted Cleverbridge to deliver frictionless buying experiences and optimize acquisition, expansion, and retention in over 240 countries and territories. Learn more at grow.cleverbridge.com.
Uncertain outlook for 2025 as new immigration policies are implemented
A new CGFNS International report indicates that a robust annual rate of nurse migration into the United States held steady in 2024 as healthcare systems continued to look to foreign-educated nurses to help address persistent staffing shortages.
However, in its 2024 Nurse Migration Report, the organization also said the current high rates were likely unsustainable amid persisting visa retrogression and caps on employment-based green cards for nurses, along with new immigration policies being implemented by the Trump Administration that will likely have further impact on visa availability and processing times.
CGFNS, a global health workforce non-profit that verifies credentials of healthcare professionals for immigration authorities and state licensing boards, reported that in fiscal year 2024 it received 24,733 applications for its VisaScreen® (VS) service. While this is a 4.6% drop from FY 2023, the organization noted application levels remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic figures, with the 2024 figure at nearly 200% above FY 2018.
Other key data from the report:
While VS certifications went to nurses from more than 100 countries in 2024, 92% were educated in one of the top 10 countries on the list.
The Philippines continued to account for more than 51% of VS certificates, followed by Canada with 8% and Kenya with 6.5%. There has been a slight shift in this distribution recently, with the Philippines dropping from 60% of the total last year, while Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana have all showed considerable growth in their share.
Like countries of education, visa categories are also significantly concentrated, with 76% of VS certificates issued to those seeking permanent green cards (such as EB-3 visas), while TN (12%) and H1-B (11%) made up the only other significant categories.
“These figures confirm what others are seeing, that U.S. healthcare systems continue to depend on nurse immigrants to address persistent staffing shortages. Disruptions to this pipeline of qualified nurses would have far-reaching consequences, exacerbating workforce shortages, increasing patient care loads, and worsening nurse burnout,” said Dr. Peter Preziosi, President and CEO of CGFNS. “This is a multilayered global challenge that demands collaborative and innovative solutions among source and receiving countries.”
CGFNS International is approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to satisfy federal credential screening requirements for occupational visas for nine categories of foreign-educated healthcare professionals.
To offer global context for the U.S. numbers, the report also analyzes worldwide migration of nurses and healthcare professionals, particularly as both source and destination countries continue to grapple with balancing the demand for skilled healthcare workers against the challenges of retaining their domestic workforces. It noted that some countries in Africa, including Zimbabwe and Ghana, have paused the release of certificates that are needed by nurses to emigrate, while Nigeria has introduced in-country service requirements that nurses must fulfill prior to migration. Other governments, such as Namibia, have pursued the pathway of creating incentives for nurses who choose to stay.
foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), Asia’s leading jobs and talent platform, and a Quess company, announced the appointment of Mr. V Suresh as its Chief Executive Officer.
With over two decades of experience in the e-recruitment ecosystem, internet domain and digital transformation. Suresh brings a wealth of strategic expertise and a forward-looking vision to foundit. Throughout his career, he has driven transformational growth, expanded market presence, and established successful digital platforms across sectors. His customer-centric mindset and operational acumen make him the ideal leader to accelerate foundit’s growth trajectory.
Originally known as Monster (APAC & ME) the company rebranded to foundit in 2022 to mark its evolution as a leading jobs and talent platform.
Ajit Isaac, Managing Director of Quess Corp, the parent company of foundit, said: “Suresh’s deep understanding of the digital talent ecosystem and proven ability to scale businesses will help us strengthen our leadership position in the market. Under his stewardship, we aim to further refine our platform, enhance our services, and continue bridging the talent gap across industries and geographies.”
“I am privileged to lead foundit at this exciting stage in its journey. With a strong legacy and an advanced AI-driven platform, foundit is uniquely positioned to transform how talent and opportunity connect. Throughout my career, I have focused on harnessing technology to create impactful, customer-centric solutions, and I look forward to building on this foundation to drive innovation, growth, and excellence across APAC and the Middle East,” said V Suresh, Chief Executive Officer, foundit.
Suresh’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for foundit, as it leverages AI-powered technology to deliver personalised job search, enable precision hiring, and foster stronger employer-candidate connections.
About foundit (APAC & Middle East)
foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is Asia’s leading jobs and talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. In addition to its innovative AI-powered job search, foundit offers e-learning, assessments, and services related to resume creation and interview preparation. foundit has connected over 120 million job seekers across 18 countries with the right job roles and upskilling opportunities.
Over the last two decades, the company has been a leader in the world of recruitment solutions and has launched cutting-edge tools to give recruiters access to passive candidates in addition to active ones. With its advanced technology, foundit is efficiently bridging the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies.
Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches and offer precision hiring. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place to Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.
Antwerp-based supply chain specialists OMP have refined their leadership structure in a move designed to align with their strategic growth ambitions. These changes, which reinforce leadership continuity and stability, follow the recent CEO transition in which Paul Vanvuchelen succeeded Anita Van Looveren.
Continuity, stability, and teamwork are at the heart of the changes. The new structure represents an evolution in the company’s leadership involving the creation of nine chief officer roles drawn from the existing ranks. The new leadership is seen as reinforcing the organization’s engagement with investing for future growth.
Driving growth through leadership realignment Paul Vanvuchelen confirms that the leadership realignment has been carefully designed to reflect and enhance the company’s commitment to fostering collaboration and empowering its global teams to deliver impactful solutions. OMP will continue its focus on driving innovation and maintaining its position as a recognized global leader in supply chain planning.
“Our leadership team plays a key role in shaping OMP’s future. These appointments highlight our focus on providing stability and ensuring we remain well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners. Together, we build a solid foundation to drive innovation and growth in supply chain planning.”
Advanced solutions OMP has built its reputation on providing advanced supply chain solutions to some of the world’s most innovative companies in industries including life sciences, consumer goods, chemicals, metals, paper, plastics & packaging. With over 1,200 employees worldwide, OMP serves its customers from its head office in Belgium and regional offices in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, and the US, with the support of a solid and growing network of alliance partners.
The updates involve adjustments in the leadership team to align roles with strategic objectives. Visit the website for a full overview of the revised leadership structure.
About OMP OMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges to excel, grow and thrive by offering the best digitized supply chain planning solution on the market. Hundreds of customers in a wide range of industries – spanning consumer goods, life sciences, chemicals, metals, paper, plastics & packaging – benefit from using OMP’s unique Unison Planning™.
The proprietary RIVeR framework brings HR and Payroll to one platform and provides a unified platform for managing end-to-end Payroll
Darwinbox, a leading global HR tech platform, strengthens its commitment to Southeast Asia by introducing its native payroll solution in the Philippines. As part of its global payroll strategy, Darwinboxplans to roll out native payroll solutions across multiple SEA countries this year, starting with the Philippines. The payroll platform is powered by Darwinbox’s proprietary RIVeR (Review, Initiate, Verify & e-approve, Release & Report) framework. The native platform promises a transformative experience for organizations, delivering 100% digital payroll processing that is accurate, audit-ready, and compliant with local regulations. The Philippines launch marks the first step in addressing payroll complexities for enterprises across a diverse region.
In the Philippines, payroll processes are a herculean task with bi-monthly payouts, manual interventions, and fragmented HR, timekeeping, and payroll systems leading to errors and compliance challenges. Businesses operating across borders face even more difficulties consolidating payroll data and meeting local regulations related to SSS, Phil Health, and Pag-IBIG. These challenges grow as companies scale their operations across multiple markets.
The integrated payroll offering, built on Darwinbox’s modern HCM platform, covers the entire employee lifecycle from hire to retire. With over 1.2 million payslips processed monthly across geographies, this solution will redefine payroll management, offering organizations a transformative experience.
Darwinbox’s native payroll solution solves a lot of these problem statements for organizations:
1. Automated Data Flows for Best-in-class Accuracy: With integrated CoreHR and workforce management, attendance, reimbursements, transfers, promotions, and other employee life cycle events automatically flow directly into Payroll. This ensures unparalleled accuracy in payroll processing, minimizing errors and discrepancies.
2. E-verification for 100% Digital Payroll: The platform facilitates reconciliation, variance analysis, and e-verification and approval capabilities for reviewers, auditors, and approvers – all on one online dashboard. This eliminates the need for data extraction and simplifies the application process.
3. Robust Control, Compliance, and Audit Readiness: The new framework and payroll platform are embedded with exhaustive audit trails, tighter data control, and tracking of all approvals, with which organizations can maintain strict audit controls and compliance standards, control over data, flexibility of process variations, and no hidden payroll costs.
Expressing his confidence in the transformative impact this new offering will bring, Chaitanya Peddi, Co-Founder, Darwinbox said, “Today’s payroll systems in the SEA market often struggle to scale and adapt to the complexity of large organizations. They fail to fully address the intricacies of compliance, diverse workforce structures, and cross-geography operations. Additionally, many processes remain manual, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and cost leakages. With Darwinbox Payroll, organizations can consolidate all payroll operations into a unified platform and dashboard, automating workflows and streamlining processes across regions. By enabling end-to-end automation—from payroll verification to finance approvals—we eliminate inefficiencies and enhance accuracy like never before.”
In addition, Chaitanya mentioned, “We are committed to building and localizing for the Southeast Asian market. With a robust processing engine and dynamic reporting framework, Darwinbox Payroll is designed to support SEA-specific localization seamlessly. This platform has already been extended to other markets across SEA and the Middle East, empowering enterprises to scale effortlessly and achieve operational excellence.”
For businesses looking to streamline their payroll processes and stay ahead in the competitive Indian market, Darwinbox’s enhanced payroll solution offers a compelling opportunity to achieve accuracy, ease, and control in payroll management.
About Darwinbox: Founded in 2015, Darwinbox is a global HR tech leader that empowers enterprises to better manage their talent with new-age employee experiences and disruptive AI-powered technology. Its cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) software caters to an organisation’s HR needs across the entire employee lifecycle. Darwinbox is trusted by over 900+ enterprises across 130 countries. Darwinbox has been backed by global investors like TCV, Microsoft, Salesforce Ventures, Peak XV, Lightspeed and Endiya Partners among others.
In today’s globalized business environment, companies face intense competition and the constant need to optimize internal processes to enhance efficiency. As a leading provider of business consulting and Employer of Record (EOR) services, Galaxy Payroll Group Limited(Galaxy Payroll Group or Galaxy Payroll NASDAQ: GLXG) has gained worldwide recognition for its professional services and innovative solutions. Among its offerings, Galaxy Payroll and its Human Resource Information System (HRIS) software stand out as invaluable tools for enterprises in managing human resources. This article provides an analytical perspective on Galaxy Payroll’s contributions and their implications for the evolving payroll outsourcing industry.
Payroll Outsourcing Market: Trends and Growth Potential The “Payroll Outsourcing Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” highlights that the global payroll outsourcing market reached a valuation of USD 10.36 billion in 2023. Driven by the demand for efficient payroll management solutions and the growing trend of business process outsourcing, the market is expected to grow at a (CAGR) of 6% between 2024 and 2032, reaching USD 17.59 billion by 2032. Key growth drivers include rising payroll complexity, regulatory compliance requirements, and the need for cost-effective solutions, encouraging businesses to outsource payroll to specialized providers for greater efficiency and accuracy.
The report underscores the impact of technological advancements, such as AI, automation, and cloud-based platforms, which enhance payroll processing. Globalization and industry-specific challenges in retail, e-commerce, and IT sectors further propel market expansion, as businesses seek scalable, compliant, and efficient payroll solutions. This trend positions payroll outsourcing providers as essential partners in enabling businesses to streamline operations and achieve strategic goals.
Galaxy Payroll: Pioneering Human Resources Solutions Galaxy Payroll specializes in providing one-stop human resources management solutions. With extensive experience, the company offers tailored services in payroll processing, human resources management, recruitment, employee benefits, tax compliance, and more. By leveraging efficient process management and advanced technologies, Galaxy Payroll helps businesses reduce operational costs, enhance employee satisfaction, and improve overall competitiveness.
Recently, Galaxy Payroll Group announced a strategic collaboration with Omni HR, an all-in-one HR management software provider. This partnership aims to redefine employee management by combining Omni HR’s capabilities in supporting the end-to-end employee lifecycle with Galaxy Payroll’s expertise in payroll and HR solutions. Omni HR enables businesses to hire, onboard, manage, and pay employees across Asia and beyond with just a few clicks. By integrating with Omni HR, Galaxy Payroll offers clients enhanced tools to streamline administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time for strategic initiatives and meaningful interactions.
Technological Advancements in HRIS Galaxy Payroll’s HRIS software exemplifies technological advancement by supporting high levels of customization, allowing businesses to configure the platform to meet specific needs. Whether managing payroll, recruitment, training, or performance evaluations, the HRIS provides personalized solutions for diverse requirements. The software integrates various aspects of human resources management on a unified platform, enabling businesses to manage employee information, payroll, attendance, and performance seamlessly. This integration avoids duplicate data entry, enhances accuracy, and boosts operational efficiency.
Advanced automation technologies embedded in the HRIS efficiently handle large volumes of data. Intelligent algorithms automate payroll calculations, report generation, and resource forecasting, significantly reducing manual intervention and operational costs. The HRIS software also assists organizations in maintaining compliance with labor laws, regulations, and internal policies. By accurately managing employee hours, wages, benefits, and tax withholdings, it reduces the risk of legal penalties and financial liabilities, particularly in payroll and EOR responsibilities.
Industry Influence of Galaxy Payroll Galaxy Payroll’s solutions optimize human resources management processes, reduce operating costs, and improve corporate competitiveness. These offerings allow businesses to focus on strategic goals while ensuring efficient administrative operations. The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in its integration of advanced technologies and management concepts, setting new benchmarks in human resources management. The HRIS software, in particular, offers cutting-edge tools that redefine efficiency and accuracy in human resources practices. With its EOR services and HRIS software, Galaxy Payroll facilitates seamless human resources management across borders, fostering global business cooperation and communication.
Future Outlook Galaxy Payroll Group and its HRIS software hold significant industry advantages and influence. By providing efficient management solutions and technological tools, the company helps businesses enhance efficiency and competitiveness. As human resources management continues to evolve, Galaxy Payroll is poised to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and creating value for enterprises globally. In summary, Galaxy Payroll Group not only offers advanced human resources management tools but also contributes to industry development and innovation. Its leading position and high-quality services are expected to benefit more businesses in the future, setting a standard for excellence in human resources management.
Successfully expanded customer base and injected new momentum into Hong Kong’s economy
– Three fairs attracted over 80,000 buyers from 119 countries and regions – Buyer numbers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand grew significantly – One green toys exhibitor expected new orders generated by this year’s fair to grow by 10-15 percent over last year’s fair – Tech toy products remained popular among buyers. A US buyer spent some US$450,000 on related products
The 51st HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, 16th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and 23rd Hong KongInternational Stationery & School Supplies Fair concluded successfully today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and Hong Kong Baby Products Fair were organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), while the Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair was jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. The four-day physical fairs attracted over 80,000 buyers from 119 countries and regions, marking a promising start for the HKTDC trade shows this year, while promoting the development of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and driving Hong Kong’s economic growth.
As the first round of trade fairs this year, some 40,000 buyers visited the Toys & Games Fair, while more than 26,000 buyers attended the Baby Products Fair and over 14,000 buyers came to the Stationery & School Supplies Fair. The fairs adopted the HKTDC’s hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, which includes the physical shows and virtual access through the Click2Match smart business matching platform, connecting exhibitors and buyers until 16 January.
Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “This year’s trio of fairs were very international, bringing together more than 2,500 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions to showcase innovative ideas from all around the globe, and kickstarting HKTDC’s 2025 calendar of events. We have actively promoted the events through more than 50 HKTDC offices around the world, and online and offline channels to attract international buyers and exhibitors to participate in the fairs and stay overnight in Hong Kong, to promote MICE tourism and Hong Kong’s economic development. This year, buyer numbers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand grew significantly compared to 2024. The fairs also received European buyers from Germany, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom, as well as those from Israel, Mexico and the US.”
Expanded new customer base and created cross-industry business opportunities Themed New Play for All, the three exhibitions featured multiple zones, from toys for infants and toddlers to STEM education toys, smart-tech toys & games, green toys to collectible toys designed for adults with a childlike spirit, catering to the needs of all age groups and market demands.
The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair saw a floorspace expansion at the Electronic and Remote Control Toys and Educational Toys & Gameszones. Funded by the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund of the Trade and Industry Department, HKSAR Government, the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and FHKI Group 19 (Hong Kong Toys Council) presented the first ESG pavilion, showcasing toys incorporating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) elements. A Green Leaf Label was displayed at the booths of green exhibitors at the Toys and Stationery fairs for buyers’ easy reference. This year, over 370 exhibitors displayed products with a Green Leaf label, 70% more than last year.
Panley (H.K.) Ltd., an exhibitor selling green toys made from Forest Stewardship Council – certificated paper, adopts soy ink printing and paper packaging in the production line. The company’s senior sales manager, Peter Law said: “Buyers’ feedback has been encouraging. The number of buyers visiting our booth increased by 30-40 percent as compared to last year. We have found more than 10 potential buyers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the US. They are leading importers, distributors and school supplies buyers with strong purchasing intention. Besides, the Click2Match smart business matching platform helped us connect buyers from the Czech Republic, Spain and Thailand in advance, before we meet at the physical fair. We expect new orders generated by this year’s fair to grow by 10-15 percent over last year’s fair. The ESG Pavilion provides an excellent platform for us to promote eco-friendly toys to international buyers and demonstrate our ESG pledge. We see a bright prospect for green toys.”
Tech toy products remained popular among buyers. Odyssey Toys, a toys wholesaler from the US, sells high-tech toys, including drones, remote-controlled vehicles, and educational gadgets to retailers across the country. The company’s owner, Michael Irigoyen, said: “We found some suppliers from Mainland China and plan to spend some US$450,000 on products such as remote-controlled boats, drones, planes, and digital cameras for kids.”
Johnny Mui, Vice President – Merchandise of the Toys”R”Us (Asia) Limited, said: “The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and Hong Kong Baby Products Fair are the must-attend international sourcing events for Toys“R”Us Asia each year. Looking ahead, we see tremendous opportunities in the growing kidult and plush segments. We are proud to contribute to and benefit from the momentum driven by Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a global hub for the toy industry.” The fair also attracted buyers from outside the toy industry. Media Prima Berhad, a multi-platform media group from Malaysia, attended the Toys & Games Fair to procure corporate promotional toys. The company’s business lead, Hafiz Nazer, stated that the total value of the orders exceeds US$100,000.
With more than 660 exhibitors, this year’s Hong Kong Baby Products Fair boasted the most exhibitors ever with an increase of 7% more than last year. The popular ODM Strollers and Gear zone continued for the second consecutive year with over 80 exhibitors, made it easier than ever for buyers to source products from original design manufacturers.
Korean exhibitor i-angel Co., Ltd.,has participated in the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair since 2008, and it’s CEO, Jinseop Lee said: “Hong Kong is an international trading hub, and a perfect place for us to look for new distributors and explore new business opportunities. In fact, the fair has helped us connect with our current distributors. We launched our new collection of hipseat baby carriers at the fair this year and have received positive feedback from international buyers. We have been in touch with a potential distributor from Canada and a potential buyer from a large department store chain in Thailand. We expect to generate at least US$1 million in new orders from the fair.”
The Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair showcased the latest in creative art supplies, gift stationery, school and office supplies. Türkish exhibitor, Mercanlar Mutfak Esyalari San. Tic. A.S., presented their water bottles and back-to-school sets at the fair. The exhibitor has connected with buyers from Belarus, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK and US. The company’s export manager, Özlem Durmaz said: We are in proactive discussion with serval new customers with potential orders estimated at a total of US$100,000. Two US retailers were also looking to source our products, with each order amounting to more than US$100,000.”
Asian Toys & Games Forum explore social responsibility of toy makers The flagship event Asian Toys & Games Forum was held during the Toys & Games fair. Themed Beyond Fun and Play: Fostering Social Responsibility in the Toy Industry, international toy and game industry experts discussed the role of toys and games in daily life. Terrence Hui, Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Toys Council hosted the discussion with a panel of expert speakers and covered the opportunities for the toys industry in the health sector and the ageing market.
For more comments from exhibitors and buyers, please visit the following websites:
About the HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create bumediaroom.hktdc.comsiness opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
– Featuring free ‘CV Clinic’ with resume consultation and AI job matching services, offering over 4,000 job opportunities
The Expo gathers over 820 institutions from 22 countries and regions, providing the latest education and employment information
The four themed days include “Arts & Sports,” “Tourism & Hospitality,” “Innovation & Technology,” and “Greater Bay Area Opportunities”
The event offers free “CV Clinic” services including AI CV enhancement, AI job matching, one-on-one resume consultation, and resume photo-taking
23 government departments and public institutions will run booths, with a designated “Aviation Corner” featuring organisations providing training and employment information, including the Airport Authority Hong Kong
Over 100 seminars and activities will be held, featuring renowned figures like film artist Gordon Lam and former Hong Kong athletes Vivian Ma, and Yip Pui Yin
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council(HKTDC), the 34thEducation & Careers Expo will be held from 16 to 19 January (Thursday to Sunday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Expo is divided into “Education” and “Careers” sections, bringing together over 820 institutions from 22 countries and regions, offering more than 4,000 job opportunities as well as comprehensive education, training, and employment information for students and job seekers. This year’s Expo also introduces a free “CV Clinic,” including AI resume enhancement, AI job matching, one-on-one resume consultations and resume photo-taking services, and is free to all members of the public. Pre-registered visitors will receive a complimentary gift, limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director, said: “This year’s Expo, titled ‘Go with Your Passion, Go Beyond Limits,’ features four themed days covering arts and sports, tourism and hospitality, innovation and technology, and opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, providing a comprehensive forum to develop social needs and address market demands. In the ‘Education’ section, students have the opportunity to interact directly with educational institutions and training organisations and explore programmes and admission guidelines worldwide; on the ‘Careers’ front, various government departments, public bodies, and private enterprises are actively recruiting. The Expo supports students and working professionals in pursuing their dreams and career development, aligning with the government’s policies of finding high calibre talents and developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education.
Applied Gerontology degree programme offered by the Tung Wah College steers the development of the silver economy The “Education” section of this year’s Expo features four zones: “Local Studies,” “Non-Hong Kong Education,” “Lifelong Learning,” and “Youth Zone.” The “Local Studies” zone showcases numerous universities and tertiary institutions; the Tung Wah College offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Gerontology degree to train experts to serve the elderly and promote the silver economy and covers topics like end-of-life education related to issues raised in the film The Last Dance. The Vocational Training Council offers programmes like a Higher Diploma in Tourism and Mega Event Management to cultivate talent in the mega event industry. The government previously launched the “Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development,” creating more opportunities for the industry. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Art School will introduce programmes designed to foster talent in these fields at the Expo.
Gathering education insights from across 22 countries and regions The Expo offers education insights from across 22 countries and regions in total. In particular, the “Non-Hong Kong Education” zone features exhibitors such as consulates, institutions, universities, and education centres from outside Hong Kong. They will offer consultation services and insights on pursuing education in various countries and regions including Mainland China, Europe, America, Asia and more. The “Lifelong Learning” zone caters to individuals of all ages, with exhibitors like the Table for Choices Limited using theatrical games to create a new educational model from a traditional setting. The “Youth Zone” offers career planning, continuous learning information, as well as various job opportunities like summer jobs, internships, and full-time positions for young people. For the first time, the Prince Philip Dental Hospital will participate in the Expo, bringing programmes for training dental assistants.
The Expo’sCareers section offers free “CV Clinic” services The “Careers” section of the Expo presents over 4,000 job opportunities, with a number of government departments and public institutions present, including the Fire Services Department, Civil Service Bureau, and the Immigration Department, along with social welfare organisations, banks, and insurance companies, all looking to recruit at the Expo. This year sees the introduction of the “Aviation Corner,” where aviation-related organisations like the Airport Authority Hong Kong will provide information for those aspiring to enter the aviation industry.
The “Recruitment Square”, comprised of various recruitment platforms, will be accepting job applications on-site, with some offering on-the-spot interviews. Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes.
This year the fair has introduced a new “CV Clinic” service in collaboration with recruitment platform TechJobAsia. The service helps job seekers review and enhance their resumes through an AI-powered system. They can also match their resumes with over 4,000 job vacancies from employers at the Expo and interact with potential employers on-site. Additionally, TechJobAsia will provide one-on-one resume consultation services on the second and fourth days (17 and 19 January) of the Expo. Employment consultants from recruitment platform Jobsdb will also offer one-on-one resume consultation services and free resume photos throughout the four-day exhibition. Job seekers can access the CV Clinic and make appointments for counselling through the Education & Careers Expo website. On-site services have limited places and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis so visitors are advised to register online in advance.
Four themed days introduce career trends and industry prospects During the Expo, over 100 exciting activities will be held, with four themed days offering job seekers strategies for entering different industries and inviting celebrities and industry professionals to share their experiences. Renowned actor, scriptwriter, and producer Gordon Lam will share his own experiences on 17 January, inspiring students to forge ahead in their learning and creative journeys.
Visitors can pre-register on the fair website to participate in the above events, as well as other seminars in the themed day series and star-sharing sessions. Seats are limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who pre-register and attend the event will receive a dedicated gift.
About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
Galaxy Payroll Group Limited (NASDAQ: GLXG, GLXG, Galaxy Group) and People Intelligence Singapore Pte. Ltd. (PIS) are pleased to announce the formalization of a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 2, 2025. This partnership establishes a collaborative framework aimed at fostering mutual growth by enhancing brand visibility, improving operational efficiency, and expanding market presence.
The partnership between GLXG and PIS represents a strategic alignment of expertise, centered on enhancing brand visibility, improving operational efficiency, and expanding market reach. By harnessing its extensive customer base and industry network, GLXG is set to elevate PIS’s brand recognition and facilitate its entry into new markets. Meanwhile, GLXG’s Human Resources Information System (HRIS), a core offering of the company, will play a pivotal role in this collaboration by providing cutting-edge tools for integrated employee management. With features such as payroll automation, performance tracking, and compliance monitoring, the HRIS ensures data accuracy, operational consistency, and improved efficiency across both organizations. Together, GLXG and PIS are poised to explore new business opportunities, capture greater market share, and strengthen their global standing.
A Strategic Alliance for Long-Term Growth This collaboration represents a convergence of the strengths of GLXG and PIS, creating a powerful platform for sustained mutual growth. It aims to deliver far-reaching benefits, from operational enhancements to broader market presence and amplified brand equity. Galaxy Group’s role will include utilizing its expansive network and established customer relationships to introduce and actively promote PIS’s innovative platforms, services, and products. Designating PIS as a preferred service provider, GLXG will not only endorse PIS but also facilitate meaningful connections by organizing high-impact events, such as webinars and conferences, that target potential clients and key stakeholders.
Simultaneously, PIS will provide GLXG with an end-to-end suite of human resources management services through its Omni platform. These offerings encompass both Core Platform and Add-On Services tailored to meet the specific needs of GLXG. Beyond implementation, PIS will leverage data insights derived from Omni to offer strategic guidance, helping GLXG streamline its internal processes, enhance operational efficiency, and drive strategic growth. Together, this alliance sets a blueprint for long-term success, empowering both organizations to capitalize on shared opportunities and redefine industry benchmarks.
The MOU is set to take effect immediately upon signing and will remain valid for an initial term of three years, subject to modification or extension based on the needs of both parties.
About Galaxy Payroll Group Limited Galaxy Payroll Group Limited is a recognized leader in providing tailored HR and corporate solutions to businesses seeking to expand their operations regionally and internationally. With in-depth expertise in navigating the complexities of international regulations, Galaxy Group offers seamless solutions to support companies in establishing new entities and managing their global business operations. Galaxy Group’s commitment to delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions allows organizations to focus on their core business while addressing the challenges of compliance and market entry in new regions.
About People Intelligence Singapore Pte. Ltd. People Intelligence Singapore Pte. Ltd. is a leading provider of advanced human resources management solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services through its Omni platform. Omni is an all-in-one HR management system that streamlines the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and performance management. PIS is dedicated to empowering organizations across Asia and beyond with innovative tools to optimize HR processes, enhance productivity, and foster high-performing teams.
For more information, please visit Galaxy Payroll Group’s website: www.galaxyapac.com
Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations.
For enquiry, please contact Intelligent Joy Limited: Rosanne Ren Phone: (852) 3594 6407 Email: pr-team@intelligentjoy.com
Roles in renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental engineering gain slight momentum as Singapore advances its Green Plan 2030 initiatives
The Education sector remains resilient with 1% increase over the last month
Import/Export (+1%), Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media, and Entertainment (+1%), Healthcare (+1%) also register marginal growth.
foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of Asia’s leading jobs and talent platforms, has published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) report for Singapore for November 2024. The Singapore fit report highlights a marginal increase over the last month in hiring across 8 of the 15 industry sectors monitored by the tracker.
The tracker revealed a 6% drop in recruitment activity in November 2024 compared to the same period last year, with the index falling from 113 in November 2023 to 106, signaling a downward trend. On a month-on-month basis, hiring activity in Singapore experienced a slight decline, as the index dipped from 107 in October 2024.
The tracker also indicates a 5% decline in hiring activity over the past six months, possibly reflecting factors such as budget constraints, evolving industry priorities, and adjustments in workforce strategies. However, as per the report, opportunities persist in innovative and digitally-driven roles, highlighting the importance of targeted upskilling to meet market demands.
Commenting on Singapore’s job trends for November 2024, a foundit official said, “There is a marginal increase in hiring across certain industry sectors and roles. The silver lining is a surge in roles in legal and compliance over the year and approximately 5 % increase in jobs in renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental engineering due to Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 initiative. Overall, Singapore’s job market is a mixed bag and will constantly evolve.”
Jobs in the Education, Import/Export, Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media, and Entertainment, Healthcare sectors remain resilient.
The Education sector continued to remain resilient in November 2024, registering a 1% increase in hiring over the last month. led by rising opportunities in areas such as online education platforms, professional development, and sustainability-related training.
The Import/Export sector, Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media, and Entertainment sector and Healthcare sector also registered a 1% growth each, in the same period.
Few sectors experience a dip in demand, following an increase in hiring during the previous month
The IT, Telecom/ISP, and BPO/ITES sector and the Retail/Trade and Logistics sector experienced a dip in demand of 2% and 3%, respectively, following an uptick in hiring during the previous month. This trend highlights the cyclical nature of recruitment as industries recalibrate after periods of increased activity.
The BFSI sector continued to witness a decline in hiring activity by 4%, sequentially, over the last month. As per the tracker, this is most likely driven by evolving financial market conditions and strategic realignments within the industry.
The Production/Manufacturing, Automotive, and Ancillary, Engineering, Construction, Real Estate, and Hospitality saw a drop in hiring demand by 1% each, over the past month. In addition, Shipping/Marine, Government/ PSU/ Defence, Consumer Goods/FMCG and Oil and Gas saw no change in hiring activity.
Half of the 12 tracked functions experienced muted hiring activity in November 2024 compared to the previous month.
In terms of functional roles, the demand for legal professionals saw muted demand over the last month but has seen a significant surge of 37% annually. The Singapore interim legal market has experienced a notable uptick in compliance roles, possibly driven by increasing regulatory changes and demands. Also, law firms are increasingly focusing on integrating technology to enhance client services and operational efficiency leading to this annual increase.
The Software, Hardware, and Telecom sector, and the Finance & Accounts sector experienced a decline in demand of 4% and 3%, respectively, over the past month as employers follow a cautious approach due to external headwinds. At the same time roles in Sales & Business Development, HR & Admin, Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain and Engineering/Production noted a marginal dip of 1% each.
The Hospitality & Travel sector, Marketing & Communications and Customer Service sectors saw no growth in demand in November 2024 compared to October 2024. This may be attributed to organisations maintaining existing workforce levels while closely monitoring market conditions and anticipating potential challenges in the coming months. The Healthcare sector, too, saw no change, however, healthcare innovation and expanding biotechnology capabilities are expected to boost demand for specialized talent in the coming months.
The foundit Insights Tracker is a comprehensive monthly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by foundit. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of online career outlets, the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide.
About foundit – APAC & Middle East
foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME) is Asia’s leading jobs & talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. In addition to a powerful AI-powered job search, foundit offers e-learning, assessments, and services related to resume creation, interview preparation, and professional networking. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 120 million job seekers across 18 countries in connecting them with the right job opportunities and upskilling. foundit is now also the Official Talent Partner of the Badminton World Federation across 20 key world tour events.
Over the last two decades, the company has been a leader in the world of recruitment solutions and has launched a cutting-edge solution to give recruiters access to passive candidates in addition to active ones. With the use of advanced technology, foundit is seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches and offer precision hiring. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place To Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.
