Up the ranks: Jenny Pong to optimise HR function in new role as Arup’s APAC People & Culture Director

Pong’s core responsibilities are to oversee the strategic development and execution of key HR initiatives within the organisation.

Jenny Pong (pictured above) has stepped into the role of People & Culture Director, APAC, at Arup, effective 1 April 2025.

As a member of the leadership team of the company’s newly created Asia Pacific region, Pong reports to Diane Thornhill, Global Chief Operating Officer of People, Development & Culture, and TC Chew, APAC Managing Director.

In her new role, Pong’s core responsibilities are to oversee the strategic development and execution of key HR initiatives within the organisation.

Additionally, she is responsible for the realisation of Arup’s People strategy and achieving its desired effectiveness, cultural attributes, and talent objectives.

Pong’s appointment is an addition to the company’s broader APAC leadership team. Recognising the development potential of the region, Arup has recently introduced a new organisational structure and leadership team for APAC, aiming to support its ambitious expansion plans in one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

Among its expansion goals is to grow the current headcount in APAC from over 6,400 to approximately 10,000 by 2030.

To achieve this target, Pong shared in an exclusive conversation with HRO that the approach taken involves leveraging data-driven insights to make informed decisions, collaborating with key stakeholders, and fostering a culture of enabling members to thrive in shaping a better world.

Further sharing on the top talent challenge in the APAC region and the industry at large, Pong emphasises the need to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of work.

“To navigate these challenges and seize opportunities, we plan to focus on continuous leadership capability development, creating an agile and resilient workforce, and creating an industry-leading member experience,” she affirms.

Pong joined Arup in 2022, and transitioned to her current role from her previous position as People Director, East Asia Region. In that capacity, she was responsible for all people-related functions across Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Greater China region.

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Photo / Provided (featuring Jenny Pong)