Functional Workshop: Winning the Talent Race

Winning the Talent Race: Why Employer Branding Is a Strategic Advantage

Talent strategy is evolving. With skills in short supply, high employee mobility and rising candidate expectations, compensation alone no longer secures top talent. Today, the most successful employers differentiate themselves through the total experience they offer; how people grow, how work fits into life, and what the organisation stands for in society. Strong employer branding transforms that experience into a competitive advantage.

For business leaders, the challenge is delivering on that promise. Employer branding is no longer just culture statements on the wall. It is about creating an authentic, compelling experience across multiple dimensions:

• Career Growth:  opportunities to learn, reskill and stretch.
• Quality of Life:  flexibility, wellbeing and a sustainable pace of work.
• Purpose & Meaning:  clarity on how the organisation makes a difference.
• Leadership & Trust:  he behaviour of managers as the ultimate signal.
• Reputation & Advocacy:  how employees and candidates talk about you online and offline

Join us to explore:

• Why employer branding matters in today's competitive and shifting talent market
• Real-world examples of organisations leveraging strong employer branding to attract talent.
• How to align employer branding with multigenerational workforce expectations and values.
• How SMEs and local companies can build credibility and visibility against large players.
• Ways to measure the impact and ROI of employer branding initiatives

Whether you are a multinational attracting global talent or a local company building visibility, this session will offer actionable insights to elevate your people strategy.  Join us to discover how employer branding can transform people strategy into a true business advantage.

Giuseppe Di Lieto [Moderator]
Founder & Director
Exponasia Growth Partners

Giuseppe Di Lieto brings over two decades of leadership experience across Asia’s industrial and energy sectors. Formerly with GE Power and SPX FLOW, he now focuses on empowering SMEs in Southeast Asia through strategic growth, market entry, and fractional leadership. His deep understanding of business transformation and talent challenges in emerging markets makes him a valuable moderator for discussions on employer branding as a strategic advantage. 

Mike Parsons
CEO
Fathom

Mike Parsons is the CEO of Fathom, a Singapore-based employer branding agency. With over 20 years of experience in branding, media, and marketing; including a decade as APAC Managing Director at Universum, Mike has advised global giants like HSBC, Unilever, and PwC on building compelling employer brands. His data-driven approach and regional expertise position him as a leading voice on how branding influences talent attraction and retention.

Dr. Michele Sagan
CEO
Optimal Insight

Dr. Michele Sagan is a specialist in leadership, human capital strategy, and the future of work. With over 25 years of experience across the UK and Malaysia, she has held senior roles at UBS, HSBC, CIMB, and the Asia School of Business. Michele is a certified executive coach, psychotherapist, and EQ practitioner, and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on the future of work. She is also a sought-after speaker at international conferences including The Economist.

Koen van Gurp
Managing Director
TalentSquare

Koen van Gurp is Managing Director of TalentSquare, a regional executive search firm based in Kuala Lumpur. With over 15 years in recruitment, including roles at Siemens and Unilever, Koen has helped companies across manufacturing, oil & gas, and chemicals build high-performing teams. His expertise in data-driven hiring and cultural fit makes him especially relevant to discussions on employer branding and talent strategy.