The Access Group Malaysia in overdrive as a key centre of global growth for the multi-billion Ringgit business

Tuesday 28 November 2023: The Access Group (“Access”) today announced its intention to create more than 350 jobs in the next 12 months in Malaysia encompassing roles in sales, marketing, product development, customer success, global operations, and finance spearheaded by a partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the launch of a Global Operation Centre (GO Centre) in Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, and key senior appointments to bring this vision to life.

This latest announcement continues the company’s focus on the Asia Pacific region as a centre of growth, with 33% of the region's customers based in ASEAN countries. Specifically, the partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) underscores Access’ commitment to digital transformation globally, and sustained investments in the digital infrastructure in the APAC region.

Access Group Chief Operating Officer and Board Member, Terry Taylor, is in Malaysia this week meeting with the team on the ground, providing further proof of the key role the APAC region will play in the future growth of the multi-billion Ringgit business.

Mr Taylor is tasked with driving the progression of the Access world-class operating model, with further international opportunities on his agenda, as well as global responsibility for building the Group’s GO Centre and Centre of Excellence model.

Commenting on today’s announcements, Mr Taylor said, “We’re incredibly proud of our history of creating both jobs and business opportunities for small and mid-sized organisations in Malaysia and throughout the region. We are committed to innovation and building meaningful relationships with our teams and customers, and building a network of Go Centres to embrace new product development and solution service delivery across the organisation.

“Based on our projections, over the next four years, the Access GO Centres will support 40% of our global staffing needs. Having these strategically located offices keeps momentum growing. Our ambition is to create a global ‘backbone’ of GO Centres which will provide international senior management, access to diverse talent and regional infrastructure to execute the Group’s sustainable growth.

“As part of this, we are honoured to receive the Malaysia Digital Status and look forward to working closely with MDEC to support the growth of Malaysia's digital economy. For Access, Kuala Lumpur offers a compelling proposition for our first GO Centre in APAC with its fantastic business environment and exceptional talent pool.”

The business is also well progressed with incoming Malaysian eInvoicing requirements, after successful rollouts of the solution in other markets. 

Key appointments

Pooja Singh, Managing Director, GOC APAC

Pooja joins Access from Google, where over four years she scaled up and established Google Operations Centres across four locations in Asia-Pacific, growing the team from zero to 5,000.

During her tenure at Google Operations Centre, Pooja made remarkable contributions as the APAC Regional Head, leading the organisation to new heights of success and excellence. Her strategic insights and people-centric approach significantly contributed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment, resulting in exceptional team performance.

Before her tenure at Google, Pooja held pivotal leadership roles at organisations such as Cognizant and Tata Consultancy Services. Pooja’s extensive experience in managing internationally dispersed and culturally diverse teams, along with her proven track record in driving operational excellence, aligns seamlessly with The Access Group's commitment to innovation and client-centric solutions.

“Access has a clear vision and strategy to innovate, collaborate and push creativity with its operations around the world and I am looking forward to helping shape the organisation's future,” Pooja said.

“I am excited to lead its commitment to providing an exceptional experience to customers across APAC and to see the bright opportunities that lie ahead. My long-term vision for the new Malaysia GO Centre is to build meaningful relationships with our teams and customers, build a network of centres and enhance consistent service delivery across the organisation.”  

James Coffey, Business Development Director, Asia

James has more than 20 years' experience in business and technology, working for and with businesses of all sizes from small startups as an angel investor and mentor all the way up to the world's largest technology companies in roles covering sales, business development, partnerships, innovation, operations and ventures. 

Previously James built Experian's channel sales organisation in Southeast Asia, sourcing, developing and managing partnerships that were key to growth of the business in the region. Key partnerships with and investments into C88 Financial Technologies and Jirnexu in 2018 and the creation of a new business unit to support these partnerships were key milestones in this journey. 

Previously James led Salesforce's AppExchange business in the Asia Pacific region for five years, during which time Salesforce grew to become the fourth largest enterprise software vendor in the world. James is an active angel investor and has mentored with Muru-D and StartSoc.  

Green light on GO Centres

The Malaysia GO Centre marks the latest phase of the Group’s global expansion, after striking a £9.2bn investment deal from shareholders Hg and TA Associates last year. 

The new GO Centre in Kuala Lumpur will create hundreds of jobs in the region, partnering with regional universities to hire the best talent, drive innovation, develop skills and provide international management to support teams in both APAC and the UK.

Led by Ms Singh, the GO Centres will focus heavily on customer experience as Access continues the next phase of global expansion and is set to open later this year with recruitment well underway.

More: Access Group appoints Pooja Singh to lead global expansion with new Malaysia Go Centre

Giving back locally

In addition, Access has recently announced it has made The Malaysian Mental Health Organisation a charity of the year for 2023/24, to support their work promoting mental well-being in the community and providing support for local people with mental health problems and their caregivers through support service provision, education, training, research and advocacy.

Continued focus on giving back is now supported by the independent Access Foundation, which grew last year to in excess of MYR7 million per year.

A brief timeline of The Access Group in Asia

• June 2021: The Access Group expands its APAC presence beyond ANZ with a direct presence in Asia in 2021 with the acquisition of Sage Group’s local businesses, including EasyPay payroll solution in Singapore and UBS accounting software in Malaysia
• January 2022: Access acquires Vincere, a Vietnamese based global provider of innovative technology to over 20,000 recruitment consultants around the world, building out the Access recruitment offering and expanding its reach across UK, Europe and APAC.
• June 2023: Access announced plans to expand operations into Malaysia through a new partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the government agency leading the digital transformation of the Malaysian economy.
• August 2023: Access appointed Pooja Singh as Managing Director of its Global Operation Centres (GO Centres) in APAC, the first of which will be located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• September 2023: Access was awarded Malaysia Digital Status by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).