About Robin Teo

While Teo shies away from most social media, he is a marketer by training, having graduated from the National University of Singapore with a BBA in Marketing in the early 2000s. But he has always been intrigued by financial markets, he says, which has become his main career speciality over time.

Before his current role as asset manager Eastspring, Teo had an electric career, including a first job in the public sector at IE Singapore. The role of the statutory board was to help Singapore-based companies internationalise and grow in an increasingly global market, though it has since been renamed and replaced by Enterprise Singapore in 2017. He began his journey in financial services in 2003, and held various wealth management and financial advisory roles at Citi, ABN Amro and UOB. He entered into the fund management industry in 2010, predominantly holding business development roles and some comprising wider remit including executive capacities, product solutioning and investment marketing. He says he likes the long-term nature of the industry, as it is a sector where he believes one can grow and develop and have a longer sustainable career. Teo works these days at Eastspring, a subsidiary of Prudential plc. He is based in the financial district of Singapore and while he is immersed in the day-to-date workings of asset management, he also thinks theoretically as he teaches in a part time capacity (in the disciplines of finance and economics) at the Management Development Institute of Singapore for various UK partner universities.

Financial services sector among others are highly competitive, and a large majority of the people are highly qualified and educated. Teo himself cites this as one of the reasons why he took a fateful decision in 2012 to undertake post-graduate study with UCD Singapore, where he undertook a MSc in Finance over two years.

 “Well, the reality is that you have to differentiate yourself versus your peers. In Singapore if you throw a stone near anyone on the street, you will probably hit a graduate,” he explains. Plus, pursuing education was always been in his blood, with his father being an educator. The decision to opt for UCD, after he looked at several other universities was made on the basis of Ireland’s own economic attributes. Teo also added, “I noticed that Ireland had its own strong funds industry. In Europe, I believe it is the second largest centre for fund management services (after Luxembourg). So I when I go to events, you know, I see often see the Irish Funds Association. And that's where I got to know a little bit more Ireland and its competitive advantage.”

On top of that he had an ex-colleague and career mentor who had also studied at UCD and he encouraged Teo to make an application. He was successful and undertook the study at UCD’s Singapore campus. He found the course enjoyable, but admits his enthusiastic classmates helped keep him focused. “I don't like to do something that I don't complete,” he remarks. Studying while also holding down a job (with Nikko Asset Management) was not easy, he admits, but he was still glad he took the concurrent option. He estimates about 90% of his class were delivered by local lecturers and tutors. In terms of modules, he says what he learned helped in a range of areas, including understanding financial models, valuation models and even talking to clients.

These days he is very experienced at this latter task but describes his typical day at work as ‘atypical’. But asked to boil down his role, he says it’s all about understanding the client's investment needs and curating product solutions around them.

As for his UCD connection, Teo is quite involved in UCD Alumni in Singapore and helps the university where he can. Asked would he advise others to follow his route, he adds: “I would encourage them to do so”. But he acknowledges each person is different. He further describes the alumni network as a vital cog for any student post-stnudy. He explains: “An institution is as strong as the alumni. I think we have a pretty strong alumni, right in the various sectors that are willing to come together. This is one of the key reasons why I would encourage people to join UCD,” he adds.

As for when it comes to hiring people himself he says, “to me the most important thing is work ethos”. He says under this heading he would include a thirst for knowledge, but also creativity.

That ‘work ethos’ seems to have served Teo well himself and he is looking forward to many happy years ahead relying on it in future.

Panel

Reflecting on your time at UCD, what experience stands out as particularly impactful or memorable?

Definitely people, comprising of UCD lecturers and coursemates. A special shoutout to Prof Philip Bourke, Dr. James Kwan, especially, the most inspiring was Dr. Krishna Rajulu. People wise, my group members (Batch MSc 28), and mentor Mr. Stephen Tan (who attended Batch MSc 27). Stephen was not only a mentor, but was a direct manager when I was at Amundi and an indirect manager when I was at DBS Asset Management. (DBSAM was acquired by Nikko Asset Management in 2011.)

Is there a particular book or song you have carried with you for much of your life?

To me, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John ORTBERG is a spiritual growth book that focuses on personal transformation and spiritual disciplines, encouraging readers to pursue a deeper relationship with God and live out their faith in practical ways.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received, funny or serious?

“It is not about doing the right things, but doing things right,” first shared to me by my father. And, it is something that I’m still pursuing (very hard) to meet.

What's a hobby or activity you've always wanted to try but haven't gotten around to yet?

If it is an activity or hobby, then it is none. Nothing has stopped me from trying something. The one thing that I wish to obtain though, is a boating license, as I love the sun, sand and the sea.

If you could have a conversation with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask that person?

Leonard Da Vinci. What was/were the true reason(s) that gave him the insatiable thirst for knowledge, constantly exploring and questioning the world around him?

 November 2024