Leading Chinese luxury lifestyle media brand ICON SINGAPORE launched THE NEXT ICON AWARDS on 13 April at the prestigious ICON Ball, which has returned after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The awards recognise the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders in family businesses. This year, the awardees are all known for driving sustainable initiatives, pushing boundaries, and making an impact in their respective industries. The winners are:
- Victor Tan Jenn Chyen, Chief Executive Officer of TOP International Holdings
- Cynthia Handriani Wijaya, Vice President of Business Development & Investor Relations, Daya Selaras Group
- Ho Ren Yung, Senior Vice President, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resort
The awards were presented by Mr Ignatius Low, Editor-in-Chief, Lifestyle and Entertainment Media Group, SPH Media, and Associate Professor Kenneth Goh, Academic Director of Business Families Institute and V3 Group Fellow in Family Entrepreneurship at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University.
“We are proud to recognise these exceptional individuals who are driving sustainable initiatives in their family businesses,” said Sylvester Ng, editor-in-chief, ICON SINGAPORE. “Their dedication and leadership are a testament to the spirit of innovation and excellence that the award embodies. We are confident that their success will inspire and empower the next generation of business leaders.”
ICON Singapore partnered with the Business Families Institute at the Singapore Management University (SMU) as its knowledge partner to jointly shortlist and assess potential candidates for final selection.
Modern orientalism
The ball, with Modern Orientalism as this year’s theme, centred around 3 acts that are inspired by the 3 elements that are very important in Chinese culture and traditions: Arts, Craft and Culture.
Act I, Ink and Paper, featured a synchronised performance between young calligrapher and fashion designer, Serina Lee together with celebrity & erhu musician Ayden Sng.
Act 2, Chinese Porcelain, contained a surprise for the guests, who were each presented a specially designed fan by Serina Lee, bearing the words “珍惜眼前光景、铭记风华辉煌”, which means to treasure the present and always remember ones’ illustrious achievements.
Act 3, Coming of Age, featured youth musicians from Jazz Association and Rit Xu, National Arts Council’s 2022 Young Artist Award recipient and world renowned flutist.
The 18th anniversary gala celebration was attended by 270 guests. They were joined by celebrities such as Ayden Sng, Glenn Yong, Yvonne Lim, Oon Shu Ann, and Nathan Hartono. Key opinion leaders such as Kim Lim, Yoyo Cao,Willabelle Ong, Nellie Lim, and Nina Kaginda also graced the occasion.
The guests enjoyed a dinner menu curated by chef Vincent Wong & Shangri-La Singapore’s culinary team, which was also inspired by modern orientalism. The meal was topped off with a dessert entitled "The Vase" by chef Janice Wong, the owner and chef of award winning dessert restaurant, 2am:dessertbar.
20 ladies, including private investor and style influencer Wendy Long, musician Layla Pi, entrepreneur Kim Lim, Singaporean socialite Jamie Chua, as well as IT entrepreneur Tiffany Goutama, were given the much sought after title of ICON’s Best Dressed 2023.
ICON reader Celeste Basapa said: “If a picture speaks a thousand words…Then this one speaks two thousand words! What a night of grand entrances; gal pal camaraderie; fabulous fashion and food and wines. We couldn’t ask for more; except that of another such celebration!”
Another reader, Georgina Lee added: “Thank you for a fabulous and beautiful Icon Ball. It’s very well organised, and the details are amazing and classy! I enjoyed myself very much.”
