RSM Singapore’s Qiu Wenqi: Balance tech adoption and financial governance to drive lasting success

She stressed the importance of innovation, leadership, and ESG strategies in ensuring sustainable growth.

As global markets become increasingly volatile and technology continues to reshape the business landscape, Singaporean companies must innovate, remain agile, foster strong leadership, and secure long-term growth to maintain a competitive edge.

Offering valuable insights is Qiu Wenqi, Partner at RSM Singapore, with extensive experience in the valuation of financial instruments, business valuation for both listed and non-listed clients, financial modelling, litigation support, valuation of employee stock options, purchase price allocation, and impairment testing.

She focusses on the valuation of complex securities and instruments issued by early-stage companies to private equity and venture capital investors. Wenqi has worked across a broad spectrum of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, shipping, food and beverage, green energy, and property. She has supported clients and transactions across China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

As a judge at the Singapore Business Review International Business Awards and National Business Awards 2025, Wenqi discusses how Singaporean businesses can leverage complex financial strategies, cross-border opportunities, strong leadership, and ESG initiatives to stay ahead in an evolving market.

With your extensive experience, in what ways do you see Singaporean companies foster innovation and remain competitive amidst global disruptions and technological advancements?

By incorporating technology and sustainability into their strategy, Singaporean businesses are able to maintain their competitive edge in the global market. Companies like RSM Singapore have dedicated Technology Consulting departments that help clients implement solutions such as IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, ERP and CRM systems, and business analytical tools. This initiative helps them grow their business profile by seizing opportunities that arise with technological advancements. By actively seeking innovation, companies can continuously adapt to shifting market demands whilst preserving a significant competitive advantage.

What innovative financial strategies can Singaporean businesses leverage to secure sustainable investment and strengthen their global market position?

Singaporean companies can utilise different innovative financial strategies to attract long-term investments and enhance their standing in international markets. Cross-border fundraising is one of the strategies that helps businesses access a large pool of investors and diversify their sources of funding. Another strategy is to improve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. Comprehensive ESG disclosures help companies attract sustainability-focussed funds by showcasing transparency, fostering investor trust, and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability practices. Singapore companies can also adopt more innovative financial strategies, such as embracing fintech and expanding into broader geographic markets, to further secure sustainable investments from global investors.

In your view, how can businesses in Singapore effectively balance rapid technological adoption with strong financial governance to achieve sustainable growth?

Businesses in Singapore should prioritise cybersecurity and ensure alignment between technology adoption and financial goals to achieve sustainable growth. Striking a balance between strong financial governance and rapid technological advancement is key to long-term success. For instance, conducting regular training on data protection and threat awareness for employees can lower the risk of costly breaches, especially for data-driven industries like banking. Companies must also invest in cybersecurity frameworks to prevent the leakage of sensitive data and ensure compliance with financial regulations. Furthermore, from an internal finance perspective, any technological adoption must align with strategic objectives and demonstrate a clear return on investment (ROI). Analysing costs and benefits helps make sure that the new technology improves productivity without straining budgets. Applying these strategies could help businesses in Singapore find the harmony between technological advancements and financial governance.

What role does leadership play in driving organisational transformation and ensuring business success in today’s evolving market?

In today’s rapidly changing market, leadership plays a pivotal role in helping businesses adapt to changes and prosper, especially in a global hub like Singapore, which is driven by innovation. Great leaders don’t just see what’s coming in the future – they actively plan for it. They identify trends such as sustainability and digitalisation and guide their businesses to capitalise on these transformations. For instance, companies in Singapore’s financial sector have remained competitive by implementing technologies such as advanced training driven by AI. Strong leaders also understand the value of fostering a culture that embraces changes and encourages continuous learning. RSM Singapore has established ESG advisory services to tailor to the changes in regulations and to assist clients in adjusting to new sustainability measures. Successful leadership can always turn obstacles into opportunities in today’s evolving market.

Looking ahead, what major trends and developments do you foresee shaping the Singaporean business landscape over the next five years, and how should companies prepare for these changes?

Over the next five years, the Singaporean business landscape is expected to evolve significantly. With government campaigns like the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which encourages businesses to go green and focus on ESG compliance, sustainability will take centre stage. To stay ahead, companies will need to manage their carbon footprints, invest in renewable energy, and establish more sustainable supply chains. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives are accelerating the growth of AI and digitalisation. To accommodate this change, businesses need to prioritise upskilling their employees, implementing AI tools, and expanding into growth sectors such as fintech and e-commerce. Moreover, Singapore presents an abundance of opportunities to enter emerging markets, especially Southeast Asia. RSM Singapore have been actively utilising their global expertise to assist clients in navigating complex regulations and tapping into the cross-border growth in the ASEAN region.

As a judge at the Singapore Business Review International Business Awards and National Business Awards, what are your specific criteria when evaluating the nominees?

When evaluating the nominees, some of my top criteria are as follows. (1) I will evaluate innovation, specifically, how the nominee’s products or services are different from the competitors; is the nominee creating a blue ocean or utilising strategic positioning to impact the market. I’ll also evaluate how deeply AI and advanced technology are rooted in the nominee’s operation; (2) Profitability. I will assess the nominee’s profitability, as healthy margins not only showcase sustainable growth but also indicate operational excellence; (3) Corporate Social Responsibility. With the increasing weight on CSR arising from regulatory changes, I value initiatives with measurable outputs, such as initiatives that help reduce carbon footprints, enhance commonwealth of the community, or provide safe, equal, and diversified workplace; (4) In evaluating a project, I will grade it based on tangible metrics such as revenue growth, cost savings, improvement in operational efficiency, and return on investment, which demonstrate its financial success. Additionally, to measure its broader impact, I will place emphasis on whether the project has the potential for widespread adoption by companies across different markets or industries, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to Singapore's dynamic economy.