After nine years in China, Matteo reflects on his first year in Singapore and the opportunities this dynamic hub offers to global businesses
Tell us about yourself
I am an Italian professional currently living in Singapore, where I relocated at the end of 2024. Drawn by curiosity and the desire to broaden my perspective, I first moved to Shanghai in 2015 and ended up spending over nine years there. I joined Consea in 2019 as Senior Consultant and Key Account Manager in Shanghai, where I consolidated my experience in Executive Search and Business Development. I now serve as Head of BD and Delivery APAC, overseeing regional operations and client partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region.
It’s almost a year since you relocated from China to Singapore — how has this transition been for you, both personally and professionally?
The transition was much easier than expected. Singapore is extremely efficient in every aspect, from obtaining a work visa to setting up utilities, with clear instructions, well-defined processes, and strict adherence to deadlines. Communication barriers are minimal since English is widely spoken, making it easy to see why Singapore is recognised as an international hub for both companies and people.
Professionally, entering a new, consolidated, and competitive market like Singapore is always a challenge. However, I found an open and welcoming environment, with professionals at every level willing to discuss the job market, recruitment challenges, and current needs in the region. There are many opportunities for networking, and people are happy to connect and offer support, which makes integrating professionally much smoother.
What surprised you the most about living and working in Singapore compared to your previous market?
The living standards in Singapore are exceptionally high. From housing to transportation and schooling, everything here is top-notch.
Professionally, what impressed me the most is the level of skills and competence of professionals. Singapore truly attracts some of the best talent from around the world. Every professional encounter I’ve had has been inspiring and intellectually stimulating: people here not only possess exceptional skills in their respective functions or industries, but also have diverse interests and knowledge across a wide range of topics.
What key trends are you noticing in the HR and talent landscape in Singapore and Southeast Asia?
Singapore experienced a significant influx of high-level professionals, many coming from Mainland China and Hong Kong, starting toward the end of COVID-19. During that period, not only did individuals relocate, but many companies also moved their regional headquarters for Southeast Asia and the Pacific to Singapore, creating notable shifts in a relatively small market.
The years 2022 and 2023 were particularly frenetic, while 2024 and 2025 have seen activity cool down somewhat. This major inflow of people and companies substantially increased costs, prompting some organizations without direct ties to the Singapore market to relocate their offices to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or in some cases, Indonesia.
At the same time, cross-border talent hiring has been constrained by visa and permit regulations, limiting companies’ flexibility and, in some cases, causing expats to move elsewhere within the region.
How do clients’ needs here differ from what you experienced in China?
In China, for Western companies, it can be relatively complicated to identify and evaluate local talent due to factors such as language barriers, different job portals, and a distinct set of values and behaviours. In Singapore, the process appears easier on the surface: talent is abundant, but filtering through hundreds of CVs can be very time-consuming. Moreover, the best candidates rarely apply to job posts online, making Active Search still essential to identify the most suitable talent.
Additionally, we are seeing companies place more emphasis on soft skills, investing in coaching employees in areas such as leadership, communication, and conflict management, as well as focusing on employee wellbeing initiatives.
How does having an office here enhance our global footprint and ability to serve international clients?
Singapore serves as a strategic hub for Southeast Asia. Many companies with regional operations choose to locate their headquarters here because of its strategic location and connectivity, stable political and legal environment, business-friendly tax and regulatory system, world-class infrastructure, and a skilled, diverse talent pool. Having a presence in Singapore allows us to stay close to the command center and key decision-makers, enabling us to intercept opportunities and spot trends faster across the APAC region.
What are the opportunities you see in Singapore and Southeast Asia in the coming years?
In Singapore, one of the key opportunities will be AI-driven reskilling, as there is likely to be a gap between the skills employers need and those available in the market. Additionally, cost pressures and employee wellbeing will play an increasingly important role, making retention a significant challenge for companies in the coming years.
In other countries in the region, particularly India, growth opportunities are expected to be substantial. To sustain this expansion, companies will need to look externally, tapping into talent from competitors and the broader market to meet demand.
Looking back at your first year, what’s the biggest learning you’d like to share with colleagues and clients?
Whatever the challenge, there’s always a solution. In our industry, things don’t always go as planned, but the key is to stay positive, adapt, and concentrate on solving problems instead of looking back.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
To worry less about the unknown, remember that the greatest achievements often come from taking risks and leaving your comfort zone.
And finally — what are you most excited about for the year ahead?
I’m excited about expanding our reach into new markets and strengthening existing relationships, building on the solid foundation we’ve created so far.
Matteo Scipioni Bertoli – Head of BD & Delivery APAC
