John Bowden
APJ and India Manager for Workplace Design and Development, Cisco Systems

John focuses on researching the way Cisco employees do their work and in building new workplace solutions that make their workplaces space-effective and the people productive. Responding to new ways of communication and collaboration, technology that enables a mobile workpattern (Cisco’s, naturally), and recognizing the need for humanity in the work environment (that elusive work-life balance). John has been in Hong Kong for more than 4 decades and has built offices across the region, with Cisco’s ongoing Bangalore Campus of 10 buildings and over 2 million square feet as a primary focus for effective workplace development.

Martin Christie
Regional Manager (APAC) - Group Property, Rio Tinto

Martin is Rio Tinto’s lead for the Asia-Pacific region, directing a team with responsibility for all property lifecycle requirements from strategy through project delivery and on-going workplace management. One of Martin’s current key projects is Rio Tinto’s Singapore Regional Centre based at Marina Bay Financial Centre. The new workplace, currently being finalised for occupation, has been designed with a strong focus on sustainability and employee engagement.

Previously based in London, he was a Director of Newpoint Consulting, he advised Barclays Bank on numerous property activities including the creation of a global property model for the Retail and Commercial Banking property team. He has a key interest in the workplace and all it presents including aligning business requirements and developing future opportunities as well as the effective transition to and management of these new workplace environments.

Willem Eelman
Global CIO, Unilever

Willem leads Unilever’s technology pillar on Unilever’s global Agile Working Steering Committee; and has been with the company for over 22 years. As part of his global CIO role, he is driving the improvements in technology enabling the company to be more flexible, more efficient, and better able to respond to rapid change. He believes investment in technology will really boost personal productivity, by ensuring everyone has the right tools to work with maximum flexibility and minimal constraint – any time, any place. He’s passionate about using technology to get the most out of every meeting, reducing travel footprint while getting that all important face time with colleagues.

Tom Gill
Vice President and CIO, Plantronics

As Vice President of Information Technology and CIO, Tom has responsibility for global IT at Plantronics. During his ten year tenure, revenues have grown from $200M to $750M and offices have expanded to twenty three countries. Tom leads an IT team that is focused on business results with a passion for partnering and customer service. Before joining Plantronics, Tom held senior IT management positions at Bay Networks, Tandem Computers and TRW. He has a BS in Business Information Systems from San Diego State University. Tom is a member of the Microsoft High Tech Customer Advisory Board, a Salesforce.com Customer Security Advisory Board member, a frequent lecturer in the Information Systems Management Program at UCSC, a Cabrillo CIS Advisory Committee member and serves on the board at the Santa Cruz County Business Council.

Andrew Grant
Author & CEO of Tirian

Andrew Grant is the CEO of Tirian, author of ‘Who Killed Creativity?’, and creative designer of Tirian programs which are sold under license internationally. Andrew has worked on leadership and team development for top executive clients in multinational companies throughout the world for more than 15 years and is a recognized leader in the field. Previously, as a lecturer in Education at the Central Philippines University, Andrew worked on breakthrough education projects across Asia. He has also worked pro bono with aid groups in El Salvador, Thailand and tribal India. In 1996 he worked with the International and Indian Schools Total Health Program and helped to produce a health program that today is now reaching over 25 million children worldwide.

Andrew has co-authored several books (including his latest book on creativity “Who Killed Creativity” (Wiley 2012)) plus over 30 corporate educational resources, simulations & programs that are licensed worldwide. He has featured on BBC and ABC TV, Singapore radio, and in several international newspapers and magazines, including the Wall St Journal and Financial Review. In 2011 he was ranked as one of the top 30 leadership gurus in the world. When not travelling – Andrew lives with his family between Sydney & Bali.

Jason Heredia
Vice President of Marketing for Steelcase Asia Pacific

Appointed in June 2011, he leads product marketing, brand communication and marketing in the Asia Pacific region.

Previously, Jason was Vice President of Marketing for Coalesse, a premium brand of Steelcase Inc. focused on creating furnishings for the new ways people work. Coalesse collaborates with the world's leading designers to create inspirational furnishings that provide new live/work lifestyle solutions that incorporate insights about the changing nature of work. Appointed to this role in March 2007, Jason oversaw Coalesse’s global marketing and product portfolio.

He joined Steelcase in 1992 as a Field Sales Manager for the Southern California and Denver areas. In 1997, he became a senior consultant for Steelcase’s Advanced Solutions Team in Los Angeles and worked with leading edge West Coast clients developing workplace solutions that addressed alternative methods of work and real estate utilization.

Mandeep Maitra
Head of Asia, Hot Spots Movement

Mandeep has joined us to spearhead the Hot Spots activity in Asia. In a career spanning over two decades in the Corporate world, Mandeep developed an acute understanding of people issues in emerging economies and of managing scale and complexity. She has substantial experience in building high performing teams, managing people and culture issues arising out of M&As and in managing change and leadership development. She has successfully mentored high performers and coached Business leaders. Mandeep is passionate about understanding the role of the people dimension in increasing shareholder value in companies.

She has worked in Financial Services, Consulting and manufacturing industries. Her most recent assignment was at HDFC Bank where she spent over eleven years as a Country Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services. Mandeep has won various HR awards and spoken at many HR forums.

In recent years Mandeep has become active in causes like education of children especially the girl child in India, and creating livelihood for youth and women in the unorganized sector. She feels the Corporate world can do a lot towards these social causes. As a founder of “sisterhood of strength” she has been known to champion issues of women at the workplace.

Mandeep has a bachelors’ degree in Psychology Honors from LSR College in Delhi University and a Masters degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Mandeep was born in Mumbai and is based in Singapore.

Andrew Marshall
Director, WorkPlace Services Asia, Johnson Controls

As Asia's WorkPlace Services Director, Andrew Marshall is responsible for the overall alignment and direction of the business in the region, including business development, best-in-class process and growth strategies.

Andrew joined the Johnson Controls UK Consulting team in early 2007 bringing over 12 years experience in Workplace Design and Strategy. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Andrew had worked for a number of financial institutions, including ABN Amro where he was involved in developing and implementing workplace strategy across their global building portfolio.

Originally from Australia, Andrew returned to the region in 2008 and now leads the WorkPlace Strategy team across Asia. Since joining Johnson Controls, Andrew has worked on projects for the BBC and Barclays Bank in the UK and most recently for Cisco and CSC in Asia. Andrew has spoken at several events in Asia, including Asia Office Space Congress, WorkTech and CoreNet.

Elizabeth Martin-Chua
Author of “Maximizing Human Capital in Asia – From the Inside Out.”

Elizabeth enjoys her work tremendously and is an advocate that if work is so much fun, it must be a “calling.” She has been labeled as ‘inspirational’, a ‘thought leader’ and a ‘role model’ and has been amply recognized and rewarded by the HR profession. Whilst in the employ of Philips she won in: The Robert Walters Award for Best HR Director (2005), The Best HR Team Award (2006) and The Convergys Award for Outstanding Contributions to HR (2007).

Working with Philips for more than 30 years, Elizabeth has held a number of senior positions around the world including: Head of Philips Singapore HR function for more than two decades, Head of HR for Philips Global Audio business with centers in Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore in the mid-90s, Founder and Chairman for the Asia Talent Pool for a decade, 1997-2006, Diversity and Inclusion Champion for Asia Pacific from the mid-90s and her last assignment was as Senior Vice President of Philips China responsible for the HR function and also HR Head for Asia from 2006-2008.

Currently, Elizabeth is located in Singapore. She is the author of “Maximizing Human Capital in Asia – From the Inside Out.” The book, published by John Wiley and Sons in September 2009 contains the “what” and “how” to maximize Human Capital. It also documents her convictions on all the important aspects of the HR function. She is currently preparing to publish her second book on the subjects of value match and job fits.

Michelle Morss
Managing Director, Asia Pacific, MovePlan

Michelle has over ten years’ experience in the management of relocations, facilities and relocation-related planning services. Having trained and worked with MovePlan from the earliest stages, her career has led to the management and direction of projects across Australia, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Vince Pirrello
Asia Executive Chairman, Woods Bagot

Vince has been with Woods Bagot for over 19 years and currently based in China as Asia Executive Chairman and Global Director. Vince has vast international experience having worked throughout Asia, Australia and the Middle East. With 26 years experience as a registered architect and interior designer, Vince’s creations are contemporary in nature, harmonising architecture and interior environments that reflect the local culture, stimulating the senses, imagination and intellect.

With an eye to attaining an uncompromised solution to meet functionality, timing and budget considerations, Vince has a clear understanding of how to extract value from built facilities while still contributing to the excellence of their design. Vince’s creativity is always balanced by a high degree of commercial acumen, strong financial and project management skills and foster client-focused relationships based on mutual respect and honesty and a personal goal to ensure they receive the best professional service at all times.

Andrew Poole
Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Services, Credit Suisse

As vice president of Corporate Real Estate and Services (CRES) for Credit Suisse, Andrew manages delivery of capital projects within the South East Asia region. Based in Singapore, he directs a team responsible for new office fitout, space planning, churn management, and workplace change. One of Andrew’s key projects is the fitout of Credit Suisse’s new campus building located at Changi Business Park, consolidating existing Shared Services operations into a full free-desking environment using the latest in workplace strategy and technology under the Smart Working programme.

Before joining Credit Suisse, Andrew was a manager for Barclays Capital based in Singapore where his responsibilities included facilities management, change management, and commercial management. Joining in 2004, Andrew assisted the bank to grow it’s Singapore footprint from one premises to five, and from 400 to over 4000 staff. He has a keen interest in effecting organisational and behavioral improvement through premises change and new ways of working.

Philip Ross
Futurologist & CEO, UnWork.com

Philip will look at new, emerging technology that is slimming down our workplaces, reducing costs by up to 30% while at the same time providing new types of space that are more aligned to future work styles. He will also show some examples of thin workplaces from around the globe, focusing on innovation in the USA and Europe.

Philip is an author, consultant and commentator specialising in the future of work. He predicts the way that new trends and forces such as emerging technology will shape how we work, live, learn and enjoy leisure.

He has written a number of books on the future of cities, work and workplace including The Creative Office, The 21st Century Office and Space to Work (all co-authored with Jeremy Myerson). He has also contributed to a number of other books including the Corporate Fool and the Responsible Workplace.

Neil Salton
Global Director of Consulting, Woods Bagot

Neil is an experienced and very business focussed workspace consultant. He is particularly interested in helping clients understand the cultural, psychological and technological dimensions of the workspace, to create more effective and productive space. Currently based in Hong Kong, he has lived in Asia for several years and has delivered projects in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, India and Australia.

Neil has worked with many global clients such as HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Macquarie Bank, SAP, Nokia, and Microsoft and his work ranges from Workplace Strategy, Change Management to Design Briefing. As well as his work for Corporate clients he has also worked on a number of School and University projects as part of the UK Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

As well as consultancy, Neil is a well known speaker and moderator at major industry events in Asia and has been chairman of WorkTech on 3 occasions in London, New York and Shanghai.

Jeff Tench
CMO, Teliris

Jeff joined Teliris as Chief Marketing Officer in August, 2011 and is responsible for marketing, corporate strategy and business development. Jeff brings more than 18 years experience in the telecommunication and technology markets, most recently as President of Business Markets Group at Level 3 Communications. Prior to that, Jeff held a variety of positions at Level 3 in strategy, product management, product development including Senior VP of products and marketing for Level 3 Europe. Jeff began his career at US WEST Communications where he held a variety of sales and marketing positions.

Sheridan Ware
Director - Operations, Corporate Occupier & Investor Services, Asia Pacific, Cushman & Wakefield

In her capacity as Operations Director for Cushman & Wakefield in Asia Pacific Sheridan devises and engages staff in programs which are designed to change the way we work, collaborate and innovate. She has been instrumental in the successful launch of a number of initiatives and systems that have broken down traditional barriers to communication and which have fostered a new level of teamwork and integration. She is passionate about the value of collaboration and the role technology can play in supporting communication, innovation and more agile ways of working. She also represents the region on the organization’s global Innovation Committee.

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield in 2008 Sheridan worked in the IT sector as both an external consultant and in-house specialist focused on how to achieve ROI on major technology investments through the application of user-based design principles and methodologies.

James Woodburn
Regional Director, Real Estate - Asia Pacific, WPP Group

James is responsible for the real estate portfolio of the WPP Group in Asia Pacific. The portfolio comprises, 4.6 mil square feet over some 370 leased properties, in 81 cities and 19 countries. Now in its 26th year of operation, WPP is the world’s largest communication services group and has some of the best brands in the industry - ranked number 1 or 2 in all sectors in which it competes. Globally the group has 158,000 people, more than 30,000 of those are located in Asia Pacific and is made up of more than 150 companies. Working within such a diverse advertising and marketing services group makes real estate life interesting. Each business evokes it’s our brand, identity, and specialty, which presents a challenge for achieving efficiency, and economies of scale while preserving each company’s uniqueness. James is challenged daily with rapidly changing needs, and constant growth and contraction demands. Developing and executing real estate strategies across Asia Pacific that adapt to these demands is the number one challenge, as is keeping the workplaces looking dynamic which is expected in the “creative” industry. James has more than 20 years experience in the real estate industry, and has been working across Asia since 2006.

Peter Wong
Head of Workplace, Standard Chartered Bank

Peter has developed and implemented innovative workplace solutions across global organisations from both advisory and occupier perspectives.

He is the Head of Workplace for Standard Chartered Bank and is based in Singapore. Peter focuses on developing, promoting and implementing workplace innovation and new ways of working across the organisation. He is currently developing Standard Chartered’s Agile Working programme and implementing this across all Business Units globally.

Prior to joining Standard Chartered, Peter was responsible for evolving Barclays' existing workplace guidelines and rolling-out its alternative work programme across Business Units. He also led similar efforts at American Express, where he developed their Global Workplace Standards, Planning Guidelines and New Ways of Working policy (‘BlueWork’).

Peter's consultancy experience was gained at HOK, where he was a senior member of their Consulting team in London and USA. During his tenure there, Peter worked with clients developing and implementing workplace strategy and policy across the world.