Singapore, 25 September 2013 – CPI, a consulting firm specialising in risk management, finance and governance, is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Machell as Chairman of CPI’s Advisory Board in Asia effective 1 September 2013. After nine years of successful growth in the Netherlands, CPI opened an office in Singapore at the beginning of 2013. Machell, with his extensive experience serving as CEO for a number of financial-services companies, is based in Singapore and will advise CPI on expanding its business in Asia – including building an extensive advisory board.
Machell worked for Aviva plc for nearly twenty years in both Asia and Europe. He was most recently responsible for the fourteen higher growth markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, where he significantly expanded the company’s footprint and improved profitability. Previously, Machell had been Chief Executive of Aviva UK’s general insurance business and RAC’s motor breakdown business. Machell has an economics degree from Durham University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales.
“Simon’s appointment marks a new era for CPI’s business,” stated Simone Heidema, Managing Partner, CPI. “We could not be happier with his appointment. At Aviva, he was responsible for all aspects of the business in the markets of Australia, India, Sri Lanka, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Middle East. He knows the Asian market very well, and has lived in Singapore for almost a decade. His knowledge of the market and experience in doing business here are impressive and of immeasurable value to CPI.”
“Asia’s fast-paced market growth, coupled with increased regulatory scrutiny, has resulted in increased demand for implementation of profound risk management, finance and governance processes,” said Machell. “CPI just recently opened its branch office in Shanghai to closely serve the Chinese market. One of the trends CPI sees for many of our clients is the need for a good exit strategy and exit preparation, both for strategic and financial exits, as well as IPOs within China and overseas. CPI supports these companies with their basic internal controls – governance, finance and risk processes – including all the regulatory requirements to enable a successful exit,” concluded Machell.
About CPI
CPI supports management and their organisations in structuring and implementing good governance and risk management. CPI’s pragmatic approach, integrated vision and focus on embedding governance systems have enabled CPI to become a trusted advisor and partner for its clients. CPI’s hands-on experienced people and cost efficiency have made CPI a critical challenger to the larger service organisations – such as the Big Four – that charge 30 per cent more than CPI.
Founded in 2004, CPI currently employs 10 partners, 50 professionals and 300 associates – all seasoned, well-educated professionals, with relevant 10 to15 years’ experience in both consulting and line management. The company has served, and continues to serve, a large number of blue-chip companies in the corporate and financial sectors. Examples include KPN (the largest Dutch telecom company), Aegon (financial services), Fortune 500 companies such as Henry Schein (medical, dental and veterinary supplies distributor) and Hewitt Associates (HR consulting and BPO), as well as private-equity owned companies like Maxeda (retail).
For more information please contact:
CPI, Simone Heidema, Managing Partner, sheidema@cpigovernance.nl
Simone Heidema is the founder and Managing Partner of CPI. She is a qualified auditor and has worked globally both as an advisor and in CFO positions. Simone chairs the Corporate Platform for Good Governance (CPG²) and is a guest lecturer in risk management at Amsterdam’s university VU. In addition, Simone is a regular guest speaker at seminars on governance and risk management and has published a variety of articles on this topic in Het Financieele Dagblad and Banking Review, amongst others. Simone received both her Dutch accountant's degree and her masters' degree in Business Economics at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam.
Media contact:
Marjanne van der Helm
mvanderhelm@cpiasia.com
+65 6408 0558