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The VP - Group HR at Certis Group affirms that Singapore's strength comes from respecting and celebrating one another’s beliefs, ethnicity, upbringing, and culture.
Keh Seng Ann Anthony’s journey into HR was no accident. At a time when the field was still in its infancy in Singapore’s universities, he made the deliberate choice to study overseas and build a career in HR.
It was a leap of faith, guided by his conviction that nurturing talent would always be Singapore’s defining strength. To Anthony, this made HR not just another function, but a vital part of the nation’s story.
“People and their potential are timeless,” he reflects.
Nurturing talent will always be at the heart of Singapore's story.
Today, in his role as Vice President, Group Human Resources, and Group Head of Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience at Certis Group, Anthony continues to see HR as both a business success factor and a shared responsibility. For him, supporting the business starts with listening, understanding what the business units are facing, and working together to find solutions, whether that means building, borrowing or buying talent.
Ahead of his session at HRO’s upcoming #CorporateWellbeingAsia on 8 October, Anthony speaks with HRO's P Sabarish about why HR has always been an intentional choice for him, the grounding comfort he finds in weekend rituals, and why inclusive language is central to creating a workplace where everyone feels seen and valued.
Q What inspired you to pursue a career in HR? Was it a conscious choice or something you grew into?
My choice to build a career in HR was intentional. Back then, human resources was still a new field in Singapore’s universities, so I took a leap and studied overseas. I’ve never looked back. Singapore’s success has always been fuelled by talent — our greatest economic strength. That makes HR not just important, but essential to who we are as a nation. This realisation inspired me. It’s nothing grand or noble, just a belief that people and their potential are timeless, and that nurturing talent will always be at the heart of Singapore’s story.
Q How do you personally stay grounded and resilient, especially when you're the one supporting everyone else as HR?
I always believe support has to go both ways. In HR, we’re here to help the business succeed — that’s our success too. But to do that, I first need to understand what my business units are facing. Maybe we can’t find enough of a certain talent locally. Then we ask together: do we build, borrow, or buy? And how quickly? Hiring isn’t just an HR job; it’s a shared responsibility. That mutual support keeps me grounded, reminding me that I can only make a real impact when we listen and solve problems together.
Q Since we're talking about personal wellness, what’s something most people wouldn’t guess about you - maybe a hidden talent or hobby?
My escape — my covenant of peace and self-repair — is found in the simplicity of my weekend routine. Nothing fancy, just old-school comforts: watching a movie in a cinema, greeting the familiar faces at my gym, and eating the same meal at the same restaurant every Saturday. There’s a quiet joy in these rituals. Amid the noise and frenzy of life, they remind me that some things can remain constant, untouched, and deeply comforting — a steady anchor in a restless world.
Q As a speaker at #CWA2025, what is the #1 message you'd want all invitees to take away from your session?
Inclusive language has always mattered to me. In Singapore, our strength comes from respecting and celebrating one another’s beliefs, ethnicity, upbringing, and culture. It’s part of our identity. But inclusiveness isn’t just about what we welcome — it’s also about noticing what we might unintentionally leave out in our words or actions. I try to be mindful of that every day, because language can either draw people in or push them away. To me, it’s about making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and truly part of the whole. That’s the kind of Singapore I want to keep building.
Corporate Wellbeing Asia is HRO's focused, premier wellbeing conference, gathering wellbeing leaders and HR decision-makers from across the region on 8 October 2025. This event is complimentary, by-invite only, and open solely to CHROs, HR leaders, health & wellness leaders, and C-suite practitioners.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to P Sabarish. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any corporate wellness solutions such as healthcare, insurance or physical fitness, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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