Influential Brands® Announces 2026 Gala Honouring Asia’s Business Leaders

7 January 2026

SINGAPORE: Influential Brands® unveiled its upcoming 2026 Gala Event and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for 6th April at the Fullerton Hotel. Celebrating its 14th year, the event will bring together distinguished brands, employers, sustainability champions, and top business leaders from across Asia to recognise excellence in the region’s corporate landscape.

With a portfolio of over 500 of Asia’s most influential companies, Influential Brands® has established itself as a trusted platform for promoting and celebrating business excellence. Over the years, it has recognised prominent organisations and industry innovators from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and beyond, fostering a vibrant community of forward-thinking leaders.

Headquartered in Singapore, Influential Brands® employs a rigorous mix of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to identify the region’s top performers in branding, talent engagement, sustainability, and leadership. Each award is grounded in comprehensive, ongoing research involving feedback from over 25,000 consumers, 50,000 employees, alongside sustainability assessments and leadership reviews aligned with global standards.

As the labour market becomes increasingly competitive and talent expectations evolve, companies must distinguish themselves through a genuine commitment to their people and workplace culture. The Top Employer Award celebrates organisations that excel in creating meaningful, engaging, and future-ready workplaces capable of attracting and retaining top talent.

Tan Chee Wei, Chief Human Capital Officer of SATS Limited, commented: “I am honoured that SATS has been recognised as a 2025 and 2026 Asia’s Top Employer, which affirms our unwavering dedication to our greatest asset, our people. We will continue to foster fulfilling careers, show appreciation, and contribute meaningfully as we support a connected world of trade, travel, and taste.”

The 2025 and 2026 recipients include industry leaders such as Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Accenture, CIMB Singapore, Koufu, NTUC LearningHub, WorkJoy, MoneyHero Group, SATS, Mandai Wildlife Group, HOYA Electronics, SP Group, Singtel Group, ShopBack, EtonHouse, UOL Group, among others. These organisations have been endorsed by their employees for exemplifying outstanding standards in workplace culture and support across Singapore and the wider region.

Marcus Heng, Group Chief Human Resources Officer of Mandai Wildlife Group, said, “It’s a great honour to be recognised as a Top Employer. Our purpose is to protect wildlife, preserve nature, and create meaningful experiences that connect people with the natural world. This accolade reflects the passion and dedication our team brings every day. We remain committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels empowered to learn, contribute, and make a positive impact on our planet.”

In today’s climate-conscious era, stakeholders expect companies to operate responsibly—managing environmental impacts and contributing positively to communities. The Top Sustainability Award honours organisations that exemplify leadership through comprehensive ESG disclosures and responsible, long-term strategies.

The 2025 recipients include sustainability champions such as FairPrice Group, Singtel Group, and UOL Group, all demonstrating exceptional progress and transparency in ESG practices.

Grace Chua, Chief Sustainability Officer of FairPrice Group, stated: “We are deeply honoured to receive the Influential Brands Top Sustainability 2025 Award. Our purpose is to make every day better for those we serve, while caring for the planet. Together with our customers, partners, and staff, we will continue working towards a greener future.”

Based on a comprehensive survey involving over 25,000 consumers across Asia, the Top Brand Award recognises those brands that have established a strong connection with consumers—from parents and shoppers to tourists and travellers. The survey provides valuable insights into consumer preferences in key Asian markets.

Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS, said: “We are honoured to be recognised as Singapore’s Top Influential Brand in Digital Payments. A sincere thank you to our customers for their continued support and trust. This award motivates us to keep helping businesses grow and empower communities through our services.”

The awardees include well-known brands such as NETS, FairPrice Group, NTUC LearningHub, Maybank Singapore, and Yeo’s, among others. These brands have built a reputation for authenticity, relevance, and a compelling value proposition across diverse markets.

Annie Lee, Head of Country at Maybank, added: “We are proud to be recognised as the Top Influential Brand in the ASEAN Bank category. This recognition affirms the trust our customers and communities place in us and reinforces our commitment to humanising financial services.”

A key highlight of the Gala will be the presentation of Asia’s Top CEO Award, recognising senior leaders who exemplify outstanding business growth, financial performance, innovative leadership, and integrity. Among this year’s distinguished honourees is Harpreet Bindra, CEO of HSBC Life, recognised for his exemplary leadership in the insurance sector.

Influential Brands® invites companies aspiring to be recognised for excellence in leadership, branding, sustainability, and human capital to submit their applications by 27th February 2026. This is a unique opportunity to join a prestigious community of business leaders and be celebrated at the Gala Night on 6th April 2026.

Jorge Rodriguez, Managing Director of Influential Brands®, said: “It is our honour to recognise business excellence across Asia. We look forward to welcoming ASEAN leaders to the Gala at the Fullerton Hotel. It promises to be an evening of celebration, meaningful networking, and collaboration opportunities.”