Synopsis: The world of work is changing at an extraordinary pace. From the rise of AI to shifts in global dynamics and the urgent need to reskill, leaders are navigating both challenge and opportunity. What matters most isn’t standing still, but moving forward. In this opening keynote, Lewis Garrad shares why progress itself is the most powerful way to build confidence and unlock opportunity.

By taking action — whether embracing new technologies, rethinking how we develop people or redesigning work — we not only respond to uncertainty but also create momentum. For HR leaders across Asia and the Middle East, this is a call to lead with energy, curiosity and courage: to act, to adapt, and to ensure our organizations and people thrive in the future of work.

Speaker:
Lewis Garrad, Career Business Leader Asia, Mercer

Synopsis: The volatility and velocity of change in the global economy demand a new work operating model. One that is resilient yet agile and build on skills as the currency of work. In this practical session, bestselling author and Global Leader for Transformation Services at Mercer, Ravin Jesuthasan, will share:

• Insights from his last two books which detail a new work operating system built on the elemental skills of the workforce in an increasingly AI-augmented environment
  
• A framework for redesigning work for exponential (and sustainable) performance gains
  
• Case studies to illustrate the art of the possible 

Speaker: 
Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Leader, Transformation Services, Mercer

Synopsis: South East Asia’s dynamic geopolitical and economic landscape presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for businesses. Navigating this volatility demands a resilient and adaptable workforce. This session explores how to optimize your people strategy as a critical lever for success. Discover actionable insights to mitigate risks, attract and retain top talent amid shifting regulations and competition, and build future-proof teams capable of thriving through uncertainty. Learn how aligning HR practices with strategic business goals is no longer optional, but imperative for sustainable growth in South East Asia.

Speaker:
Godelieve van Dooren, CEO Marsh McLennan, South East Asia, Marsh McLennan

Synopsis: Modern-day recruitment is awash with technology, processes and service-level agreements. With AI innovation advancing exponentially, more recruitment activities will be inferred, automated and workflow-driven. But for all the efficiency and productivity gains this will give us, there remains one aspect of recruitment that no robot will ever be able to replace — a recruiter’s singular abilities and the uniquely human opportunity to deliver an exceptional experience.

Speaker:
Lara Partridge, Head of Talent, Asia and Middle East, HSBC

Synopsis: Unlocking the full potential of Gen AI requires a fundamental shift in work practices, not simply its adoption. Organizations must analyze its effects on productivity enhancements, workflow innovations and the overall, long-term success of their workforce. DBS’s systematic methodology showcases how providing employees with suitable AI resources and building confidence in AI-generated insights produces substantial improvements.

In this session, Bidyut shares insights on:

• How DBS strategically leveraged its robust AI and data foundation to help future-proof its workforce and drive measurable outcomes
• Tools, frameworks and strategies for evaluating Gen AI’s role in workforce transformation
• Aligning AI with business goals and ensuring responsible AI use to maximize workforce benefits

Speaker:
Bidyut Dumra, Executive Director, Head of Innovation, DBS Bank

Breakout 1: Labour market and rewards trends in China

Synopsis: This breakout session offers a comprehensive overview of the latest talent and rewards trends in China. We provide insights into how to attract and retain top talent in the current landscape and explore key emerging topics shaping the Chinese market today.

Speakers: 
Elley Cao, Partner, Head of Rewards, China
Justin Shen, Senior Principal, Mercer

Breakout 2: Forget the playbook: Evolving talent strategies for disruptive times

Synopsis: In today’s uncertain and rapidly changing environment, organizations are rethinking talent approaches. With cost-cutting measures in place, their focus is on unlocking the potential within their existing workforces — by deploying the right skills, at the right time, in the right place. Employees, meanwhile, are eager to develop their capabilities and prepare for the future, seeking opportunities for growth and skill-building.

This session explores how assessments can serve as a powerful tool for organizations and individuals alike. By providing data-driven insights, assessments enable HR leaders to identify high-potential talent, tailor development strategies and build capabilities that align with evolving business needs.

Join us to discover innovative approaches to talent management that empower organizations to thrive amid disruption.

Speakers: 
Sujata Biswas, Talent & Transformation Solutions Lead, Mercer
Andrew How, Regional Lead, Assessment, Mercer

Breakout 3: Labor market and rewards trends in Japan

Synopsis: This breakout session provides a comprehensive overview of recent labor market trends in Japan, with a look at key considerations for attracting and retaining talent. It also highlights the recent global HR transformation initiatives of Japanese MNCs.

Speakers: 
Hiroo Yamanouchi, Partner, Head of Career Consulting, Japan
Yasuhiro Tanaka, Principal, Talent Strategy

Breakout 4: Emphasizing the human element in M&A: Key to unlocking synergy realization

Synopsis: In the fast-paced world of mergers and acquisitions, strategic fit and financial metrics often take center stage. However, the true driver of successful integration and long-term value creation lies in the human element. This insightful session explores how prioritizing people — culture, leadership, communication and employee engagement — can significantly enhance synergy realization.

Join industry experts as they share proven strategies, real-world case studies and practical tools for navigating the human side of M&A. Discover how fostering a people-centric approach can reduce risks, accelerate integration, and unlock the full potential of your mergers and acquisitions. Whether you’re an executive, HR leader or M&A professional, this session equips you with the insights needed to turn human capital into your most valuable asset for success.

Speaker:
Susheel Sabnani, Head of Total Rewards, APAC, Zurich Insurance
Haze Zhang, M&A Strategy and Commercial Leader, Mercer China

Synopsis: Michael is part of the leadership team shaping the future of HR at Spotify, where innovation and technology meet people strategy. In this session, Michael explores how Spotify is applying artificial intelligence to fundamentally rethink how HR operates — enhancing everything from talent development and internal mobility to workforce planning and employee experience.

Drawing on real-world examples, Michael highlights how AI is not replacing the human side of HR but instead amplifying it by enabling HR teams to work smarter, act faster and focus more deeply on what matters most: unlocking the full potential of their people.

Speaker:
Michael Kim, Head of HR JAPAC & SAMEA, Spotify

Synopsis: As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the workplace, organizations face a pivotal question: How can they redesign work to unlock productivity without losing the human edge? This panel brings together leaders at the forefront of the transformation. A senior talent management leader from Seagate Technologies shares how a global technology company is rethinking jobs, skills and employee experience in the AI era. And an executive from Gloat, a leading talent intelligence platform, offers insights on how AI-driven talent marketplaces are enabling agility and new ways of working.

Together, they explore how AI can augment human potential without replacing human talent, from redesigning roles and workflows to enhancing decision-making and employee development. Expect practical examples, candid reflections and forward-looking strategies for HR leaders seeking to embrace AI while ensuring that productivity gains translate into business and people outcomes.

Moderator:
Lewis Garrad, Asia Career Practice Leader, Mercer

Panelist:
Sebastian Ritz, APAC Leader, Gloat 
Chitra Singh, Senior Director, Global Talent Development, Seagate

Synopsis: Joan reviews the opportunities and risks facing Asian multinationals exploring overseas expansion. From regulatory hurdles and talent challenges to data privacy and escalating geopolitical uncertainty, there’s a lot to navigate. Join Joan as she outlines the risk map and shares strategies for mitigating the risks to your organization.

Speaker:
Joan Collar, Chief Commercial Officer, Marsh McLennan Asia

Synopsis: In a world grappling with a global trade crisis, escalating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, organizations face critical decisions — whether to cut discretionary spending or make strategic investments that will secure their future. 

In this engaging session, we ask three Mercer experts to present compelling investment cases that can deliver the greatest impact, empowering organizations to navigate complex market conditions and emerge more agile, resilient and successful. Our guest panelists and audience members determine which strategy holds the greatest potential to drive organizational resilience and growth.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insights into strategic investments in human potential and discover which ideas will earn the backing of our esteemed judges.

Panelists: 
Jingying Li, Head of Global Rewards, Suntory Beverage and Food
Chris Frawley, Global Head (MD) HR, Wealth & Retail Banking, Standard Chartered Bank

Speaker: 
Sean Tan, Partner, Career Business Leader, Mercer
Miriam Daucher, Asia Leader for Work, Skills and HR Transformation, Mercer
Helmi Yusoff, Principal, Senior Compensation Consultant, Mercer

Synopsis: We already trust AI to drive our cars, manage our money, and write our emails—so what’s stopping us from letting it lead companies? In this provocative keynote, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic unpacks the uncomfortable question at the heart of modern leadership: what if machines can do it better?

As AI accelerates, the gap between what leaders do and what machines can do is closing fast. But instead of fearing obsolescence, smart leaders will learn to weaponize AI to amplify their judgment, self-awareness, and decision-making power. This session challenges outdated notions of charisma, intuition, and “gut feel,” revealing what truly makes leadership future-proof—and which traits are most at risk of automation.

From machine-augmented managers to the plausibility of a fully automated CEO, this keynote will force you to rethink not only what leadership is—but who (or what) it’s for.

Speaker: 
Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Chief Innovation Officer, Manpower Group

Synopsis: In a world where work is transforming faster than ever, there is an opportunity for Rewards leaders to move beyond the day-to-day operational activities and focus on the real game-changing efforts that will elevate them to be more of a strategic partner in their organizations. What does a future Rewards leader look like? This session will focus on how to revolutionize the role of Rewards as a strategic business function – leveraging AI to automate routine tasks, and allowing Rewards leaders to focus on the key insights and initiatives that will drive organizational success.

Speaker: 
Gordon Frost, Partner, Global Rewards Solution Leader, Mercer

Synopsis: The workforce of today is being reshaped, fueled by the shift toward skills-powered models, growing demand for agility and evolving employee expectations. In this panel, leading HR tech providers explore how organizations are rethinking talent strategies to become more adaptive, inclusive and future-ready. We’ll discuss how skills intelligence, AI-enabled platforms and data-driven insights are helping companies unlock internal mobility, build personalized career paths and power sustainable workforce transformation.

Moderator:
Miriam Daucher, Asia Leader for Work, Skills and HR Transformation, Mercer

Panelists: 
Bob Tricarico, Vice-President, Partnerships, Eightfold.ai
Albert Liew, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, BIPO Service (Singapore)

Synopsis: It’s a commonly held view that people find change uncomfortable — and here we are in a world that feels like it’s changing faster than ever. How are we managing employees’ reticence to change, their fears about the future and their anxieties about their roles in this evolving workplace? As organizations embark on transformation journeys, change management techniques are often employed for precisely these reasons. But how carefully do we assess the impact of these change management interventions or the impact of change on the employee experience?

During this session, we explore the voice of the employee and how keeping the organization’s ear close to the ground during times of change can support successful transformation.

Speaker:
Marieke van Raaij, Regional Employee Engagement Solutions Leader – Asia, IMEA and Pacific, Mercer

Masterclass 1 - Pay equity and transparency

Synopsis: Join this engaging session to discover real-world lessons from companies that have successfully navigated their pay transparency journeys, and learn how these insights can benefit your organization. Explore the tangible benefits of pay transparency, such as building trust and boosting employee engagement, backed by recent research. Gain practical strategies for overcoming common challenges and implementing effective transparency practices within your own team. We also discuss how pay transparency is evolving in the Asia-Pacific region and what it means for your HR strategy. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and leave with actionable ideas to advance your organization’s pay equity efforts.

Speaker: 
Tauseef Rahman, Partner, Northern California Career Practice Leader, Mercer

Masterclass 2 - Reading between the claims: what claims data can tell you about workforce health

Synopsis: What can your claims data really tell you about the health of your workforce? In this practical session for senior HR professionals, we’ll explore five key metrics that offer clear insights into physical health patterns across your organization. From GP visits to chronic conditions and cost drivers, you'll gain the knowledge to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and confidently engage with your insurer or broker using data that matters. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify the five key health claims metrics that reflect workforce health

• Interpret commonly available insurer or broker data with greater clarity

• Use these insights to inform benefit plan reviews and guide meaningful discussions with partners

Speaker: 
Julia Radchenko, Health Consulting Leader, Mercer
Hua Ming Huang, Senior Consultant, Mercer Marsh Benefits

Masterclass 3 - Beyond the benchmark — Designing executive remuneration to shape the future

Synopsis: In a world of economic and geopolitical volatility and evolving stakeholder expectations, companies must continually reinvent themselves. Executive remuneration, too, must move beyond backward-looking market benchmarks to support transformation and future readiness.

This master class explores how pay design can serve as a lever for strategic change, shaping resilient leadership and enabling better work across the enterprise. We examine the shifting macro landscape, the rise of ambidextrous leaders and emerging boardroom dynamics — particularly in Asia — while challenging traditional approaches to peer group selection, performance metrics and incentive structures.

Join us as we shake up conventional ideas about executive pay and show how it can become a catalyst for progress and lasting impact.

Speakers: 
Jacob Tan, Partner, Asia Executive Compensation Leader

Masterclass 4 - Strategic workforce planning

Synopsis: Skills have become the currency of our organizations, essential for remaining employable. In this session, we explore how to plan for future skills requirements in the fast-changing and AI-powered world of work. Learn how to enable your organization to achieve its business goals and ensure your employees thrive.

Speaker: 
Paul Habgood, Workforce Transformation Subject Matter Leader, Mercer

Synopsis: As populations age and life expectancy rises across the APAC region, we are entering a new era where longer lives demand longer — and smarter — careers. This fireside chat explores how organizations must adapt to a multigenerational workforce, rethink retirement and design work that supports employees across life stages. From tapping into the potential of older talent to embracing flexible, purpose-driven careers, we’ll discuss how longevity is reshaping everything from talent strategy to workplace culture. Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that challenges longstanding assumptions about age — and work.

Host: 
Ravi Nippani, Partner, Mercer Regional Industries and Solutions Leader - Asia, Mercer

Speaker: 
Andrew Newmark, Chief Human Resources Officer — Asia-Pacific excluding China Marriott International

Synopsis: As Asia faces a rapidly aging population, organizations are challenged to rethink their employee benefits strategies to support the evolving needs of an older workforce.

In this session, Steven Yu, Asia Leader for Mercer Marsh Benefits, explores innovative approaches to designing and implementing benefits that promote health, financial security, and well-being for aging employees. Gain insights into emerging trends, best practices, and practical solutions for creating inclusive benefits programs that enhance employee engagement and organizational resilience in the face of demographic shifts. Join Steven in this powerful session to learn how forward-thinking companies are adapting benefits programs to foster a healthier, more productive aging workforce across Asia.

Speaker: 
Steven Yu, Mercer Marsh Benefits Leader, Asia, Mercer Marsh Benefits

Synopsis: We close out the Asia HR Conference with the latest economic trends, reviewing their impact on salary movements, incentives and staff attrition across Asia-Pacific. Organizations have been evolving their rewards programs to align with business objectives. Discover the implications for your organization as we share case studies from successful companies.

Speaker: 
Lionel Low, Senior Client Solutions Principal, ASEAN, Mercer