Contributors
Simon Hague
Simon Hague has over 20 years’ experience across multiple roles in innovation, commercial and marketing, working with some of the biggest global foodservice brands. His inquisitive mind for anthropology and cultural trends, passion for foodservice, and extensive travels, make him a sought-after expert in his field, and a strong supporter of Kerry’s ambition to provide sustainable food and beverage solutions to more than 2 billion consumers by 2030.
His reputation extends to him being a notable champion of Kerry’s work in diversity and inclusion. In 2021, he was named Top 100 OUTstanding Future Leader of the Year by Yahoo Finance and Involve. He also received the 2023 Kerry Inspiring People Award for Courage, and sits on the Advisory Council and Steering Committee Member for the Partnership for Global LGBT Equality as the Kerry Group representative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum and UNHCR. Having previously lived in UK, Hong Kong and the Philippines, he is now based in Singapore.
Simon Hague
He has over 20 years’ experience across multiple roles in innovation, commercial and marketing, working with some of the biggest global foodservice brands. His inquisitive mind for anthropology and cultural trends, passion for foodservice, and extensive travels, make him a sought-after expert in his field, and a strong supporter of Kerry’s ambition to provide sustainable food and beverage solutions to more than 2 billion consumers by 2030. His reputation extends to him being a notable champion of Kerry’s work in diversity and inclusion. In 2021, he was named Top 100 OUTstanding Future Leader of the Year by Yahoo Finance and Involve. He also received the 2023 Kerry Inspiring People Award for Courage, and sits on the Advisory Council and Steering Committee Member for the Partnership for Global LGBT Equality as the Kerry Group representative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum and UNHCR. Having previously lived in UK, Hong Kong and the Philippines, he is now based in Singapore.
Sonya David
She is an integrated strategist who infuses an understanding of consumers, their attitudes and behaviours into media to create experiences and grow brands that consumers will seek out. She believes QSR needs to leverage all facets of communications strategy, and people-first planning to drive sustainable growth. As the Head of Strategy for media brands in Singapore, she helps clients like foodpanda, William Grant & Sons Mastercard & Hilton turn media opportunities into accelerators for business growth across the region.
Steven Yang
Prior to that he served as Area Vice President - APAC for Hard Rock International, he was responsible for Hard Rock Cafe & Retail Rock Shop’s Strategic Development, Operations and Overall Performance with expanded responsibilities in hotel development opportunities in APAC. Prior to Hard Rock, Steven served as the Head of Development for Bloomin’ Brands International which had over 1500 restaurants globally, including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. He was responsible for a broad-based end-to-end market development strategy, including brand positioning and development, real estate strategy, site selection, design, and construction across Greater China with expanded responsibility in additional markets in Asia. Before stepping into the F&B realm, Steven’s core competence was in Commercial & Retail real estate, holding a Senior Director position at CB Richard Ellis in US & China, with expertise in Retail Strategies, Strategic Sales &; Partnerships, Acquisitions, Dispositions and Lease & Transaction Management.
Tim Charlton
Tim Charlton is the CEO of the Charlton Media Group, a leading business to business publisher based in Singapore that publishes titles including the Singapore Business Review, Hong Kong Business, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ and Asian Telecom. These publications cover a wide range of business issues facing executives and leaders in Asia.
Mr. Charlton oversees the editorial direction of these brands in both print, online, conferences, and events and takes a deep interest in the economics and business activities taking place in the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to founding Charlton Media Group in 2001, he worked in Hong Kong for News corporation, at Star television and the South China Morning Post. He holds a Graduate and Certificate and Management from the Australian Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales.
Tony Ibbotson
Tony Ibbotson’s career spans more than 30 years and has seen him work across the globe in Japan, Thailand, China, the USA, the UK and Australia. Tony has worked with some of the most renowned agencies on global accounts such as Mars, Walkers, Diageo and Unilever. In 2005 Tony made the move from a large-scale branding agency to start The Creative Method: an agency built on the philosophy of big ideas and the best execution, wrapped up with a little wit – that sells. Specialising in the food and drink space has proved a success, winning work internationally out of the USA, Mexico, Japan, the UK and Asia. Clients have included Coca-Cola, Smirnoff Vodka, Johnnie Walker, Campari, Wild Turkey, Skyy Vodka, Suntory and Pepsico. You can’t have all that drink and not accompany it with some food. The Creative Method have created and developed brands for clients such as Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Red Rooster, Oporto and Guzman Y Gomez to name but a few.
Vaibhav Punj
He is the founding CEO of Tim Hortons MGCA and is focused on building the famous Canadian Coffee House ground up across key SEA markets. Prior to kickstarting the Tims Business in SEA, he was the CEO of Burger King & Popeyes in Indonesia. During his time in Indonesia, he turned around & scaled the Burger King brand and introduced Popeyes to the market. His Journey with F&B started in 2013 post his MBA at INSEAD when he joined Restaurant Brands International and led the BK Brand across South-East and South-West Asia. He is a marketer at heart having spent his formative years in multiple marketing roles with Adidas Group and Samsung.
Winnie Ong
Winnie is a Partner at Simon-Kucher & Partners, a global leading consultancy specialized in Commercial Strategy & Pricing consulting. She is a member of the Consumer Goods and Retail practice. Winnie has more than 10 years of experience in helping her clients define their pricing strategy, consumer value proposition and go-to-market strategies. She has worked on projects across the globe and is currently focused on serving clients based in Southeast Asia.
