SINGAPORE — As part of its long-term growth strategy, successful Australian business planning consultancy, 24HR Business Plan (24HRBP) announced the opening of a new office in Singapore as it looks to further increase its footprint across the APAC region.
24HRBP also announced the appointment of Tobias Wilson, Michel Goedegebuure, and James Layard as Senior Advisors and inaugural members of 24HRBP’s Singaporean Team. All are successful former CEOs in the technology, shipping, and consulting industries, respectively. Wilson will take the lead in the business in Singapore.
24HRBP has capabilities in business operations, business strategy, and business growth plan development. Its international expansion into Singapore is in direct response to market demand; a growing roster of APAC clients who want access to the agency’s innovative advisory approach; and is closely aligned with the Singapore Government’s enterprise strategy to support local business innovation and overseas expansion.
Founder of 24HRBP and leading global business and marketing expert, Andrew “Billy” Baxter said: “Globally, the pandemic made it abundantly clear to business leaders that future success will only come to those who build resilience while planning for growth.”
“Despite prevailing uncertainty and economic headwinds, many Singaporean businesses recognize the need to deepen their in-market presence and explore overseas opportunities. 24HRBP helps leaders refocus and make strategic decisions. In the aftermath of the pandemic, its simple yet effective approach will get Singaporean leaders back on track, and help them build momentum to achieve significant growth,” he added.
In just four intensive six-hour workshops, 24HRBP’s methodology guides leadership teams through a proven framework to refine thinking and arrive at a Business Plan with a set of clear, actionable plans for strategic growth. “It’s like having all the firepower of a big consulting firm, with none of the baggage, plus the lived experience of former CEOs,” Billy shared. .
“99% of Singapore’s enterprise landscape is made up of SMEs; Singapore is a safe business hub and a springboard into the region so is a natural choice for our first international market launch. Singapore is just the start of our Asian expansion and I am delighted to welcome Tobias to lead the team in this burgeoning market.”
Most recently Chief Growth Officer, APAC at MediaMonks, Tobias Wilson brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience to 24HRBP. He has a deep understanding of the creative, start-up, and tech sectors garnered from holding senior roles ranging from VP to CEO and Chairman in agencies, startups, and industry bodies across the APAC region.
As the founder & CEO of creative hot shop, @ccomplice, Tobias grew his business from a spare room to a multi-million-dollar operation in only a few years, the business was then acquired in 2015. In his next CEO role, he drove the firm to grow by six times in three years, which also led to another acquisition. During his most recent tenure at publicly listed company S4 Capital’s MediaMonks, he played a major role in growing the APAC team from ten to over 1000, honing his leadership, business strategy, revenue building, and market expansion and communications skills in the process.
On his appointment as Senior Advisor for the newly launched 24HRBP Tobias said, “The best response to an uncertain world is to future-proof your business by actively planning (and executing) for growth. The 24HRBP provides the tools to make critical decision-making faster, more effective, more consistent, and more distributed and helps leaders thrive in an era of unpredictability and unprecedented change.
“I am excited to work with Michel and James to bring 24HRBP’s proposition and capabilities to Singapore and beyond, to kickstart companies’ three to five-year growth plans. Our unique offering and fresh approach to business planning is designed to generate practical input and achieve alignment right across an organization; it is the perfect fit for SMEs through to larger companies looking for a business reset,” he added.
“I’ve always found pleasure and success in finding new opportunities and exploring new ways to drive explosive yet sustainable growth in my own companies or roles that I’ve held. Leading 24HRBP’s Singapore team is the perfect way to deliver on my professional modus operandi and also be part of the “next big thing”. I can’t wait to join forces with Michel and James and get started,” Tobias concluded.
Meanwhile, James Layard is a former British Army Officer, Accenture Partner, and SME Owner / Operator with a proven track record in designing and leading large-scale business transformation and turnaround programs, as well as in starting and growing new businesses. He has spent the last 25 years based in Asia Pacific and has deep experience in the consumer, manufacturing, 3PL, telco, and retail sectors. He is currently the CEO of Singapore’s PE firm, Geronimo.
Michel Goedegebuure, furthermore, has been a catalyst for turnarounds and performance enhancements. He managed international programs for Airbus, overseeing the design and industrialization of aero-structures for renowned aircraft. Simultaneously, he led company-wide improvement projects for configuration and performance management. As Managing Director of Airborne Aerospace, Michel built a cohesive management team to drive operational results while shaping top-line growth. He later accepted the challenge of managing a shipyard for DAMEN Shipyards in Singapore, achieving an impressive eightfold increase in gross margin.
Billy concluded, “Since launching in Australia in early 2021, 24HRBP has successfully helped more than 120 Australian clients – across a wide variety of industry verticals including professional services – ranging in size from startups and SMEs to large corporations, including NEC, NRMA, and QMS Media.
“I could not be more thrilled with the caliber of Singapore’s senior advisory team and what their combined skills bring to the Singaporean market, I am confident they will build something truly different in this flourishing market,” he said.
24HRBP opens its new offices in Singapore effective immediately.
