Latest news with #Junique
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
TDCX Founder and CEO, Laurent Junique, named Businessman of the Year; launches new venture to help enterprises navigate complexity and unlock full potential of AI
· Chemin is a key pillar in enabling TDCX to tap $1 trillion AI services opportunity · Brings together more than 50 technologists from 18 countries to accelerate AI adoption SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 May 2025 - Mr. Laurent Junique, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TDCX, a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company for technology and blue-chip companies, was today named the Businessman of the Year at the Singapore Business Awards (SBA) 2025. This is the second time TDCX has been honored at the Awards, with the company clinching the Enterprise Award in 2021/2022. Mr Junique was recognized for his bold vision to create a world-class customer experience company in 1995, at a time when outsourcing in Asia was still uncharted territory. Thirty years on, TDCX is a global leader present in more than 16 geographies with more than 20,000 employees. Mr Junique said, 'Winning the Businessman of the Year award is incredibly humbling. I'm truly grateful to everyone who's helped and inspired me along the journey. I want to share this recognition with our amazing team, and my wonderful wife and family who've supported me through it all. 'This recognition comes at an important juncture for us. Not only is it a moment for everyone at TDCX to celebrate our bravery in aiming for what seemed impossible when we first started, but also our resilience in the face of challenges and relentless pursuit of excellence. As technology rapidly reshapes the customer experience (CX) space, we're evolving too, expanding beyond CX into AI services. This strategic move allows us to increase our total addressable market from $500 billion to over $1 trillion.' Chemin: Simplifying the future of AI To that end, TDCX has launched Chemin, an AI enablement company that helps businesses adopt and scale AI with clarity and confidence. Chemin, which means 'path' in French, was established to solve the challenges companies face in AI implementation by charting a smarter, more systematic course for AI integration, simplifying a journey often marked by complexity and confusion. While the Generative AI (GenAI) market is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032[1], companies are still struggling to operationalize it. Up to seven in 10 companies[2] struggle to integrate GenAI with existing systems and workflows, while 63 per cent lack confidence in their data management practices for AI[3]. It has also been predicted that through 2026, almost two-thirds of AI projects will be abandoned if there is no quality data to support it[4] — highlighting the importance of data preparation and technical integration in successful enterprise AI adoption. At its core, Chemin is built to solve the key barriers to successful AI adoption: fragmented data, lack of integration capabilities, and limited access to AI expertise. The company offers comprehensive support in data sourcing and transformation, model refinement and training, and workflow design to help businesses accelerate their AI implementation journey. Chemin's access to a vast network of industry specialists, such as robotics researchers, genomics experts and PhD professionals, coupled with its proprietary industry-specific data sets enable it to help enterprises accelerate their AI adoption journey. A proven track record and global capabilities The launch of Chemin builds on TDCX's forays into AI enablement, with its earlier tie-up with SUPA, a GenAI-powered data labeling company. The company has more than 50 specialists trained in large language models (LLMs) and data engineers based in labs across more than 18 countries. The team has completed more than 20 pilots — ranging from medical ultrasound annotation to enhancing data quality for design-to-code training in startup environments. Chemin, backed by TDCX's strong balance sheet and decades of experience, is well-positioned to accelerate AI adoption for clients by providing the infrastructure, expertise, and end-to-end support needed to scale AI effectively. Promotes internal talent to lead Chemin TDCX has appointed Ms. Lianne Dehaye, Senior Vice President, to lead Chemin. Ms. Dehaye's strong grasp of AI technologies and strong track record of driving innovation provides her with a keen understanding of how AI can transform business operations. Her practical, results-driven solutions approach has also seen her help clients successfully navigate their AI transformation journeys. Mr. Junique, said, 'Lianne has been integral to helping our clients integrate AI into their CX strategy. What sets her apart is her ability to demystify complex AI concepts and translate them into clear, actionable steps that drive real business impact. Her leadership will be key as Chemin continues to help organizations scale AI with confidence and clarity.' Ms. Dehaye, said, 'AI is a tremendous opportunity for businesses, but turning potential into performance is where many fall short. Implementation takes discipline, focus, and the right expertise. This is especially tough for traditional businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises, which lack the expertise and resources to help them. 'At Chemin, our mission is to guide companies through the complexity of AI adoption. Drawing on TDCX's decades of helping companies leverage technology for superior CX outcomes, we help organizations build a clear roadmap, from defining outcomes to training models and scaling solutions that deliver real impact.' The launch of Chemin is the latest in TDCX's corporate milestones, the most recent being the acquisition of Open Access BPO. The Singapore Business Awards (SBA) is jointly organised by The Business Times, a business daily published by SPH Media Limited, and DHL, the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry. SBA has grown in stature to become Singapore's most prestigious accolades in the business and corporate sectors. The awards comprise Businessman of The Year, Outstanding Chief Executive of The Year, Outstanding Overseas Executive of The Year, The Enterprise Award and Young Business Leader of The Year.
Arabian Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
TDCX Founder and CEO, Laurent Junique, named Businessman of the Year; launches new venture to help enterprises navigate complexity and unlock full potential of AI
Chemin is a key pillar in enabling TDCX to tap $1 trillion AI services opportunity Brings together more than 50 technologists from 18 countries to accelerate AI adoption SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2025 – Mr. Laurent Junique, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TDCX, a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company for technology and blue-chip companies, was today named the Businessman of the Year at the Singapore Business Awards (SBA) 2025. Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport of Singapore, presenting the Businessman of the Year 2025 award to Mr Laurent Junique, Founder and CEO of TDCX held at Ritz Carlton, Millenia. This is the second time TDCX has been honored at the Awards, with the company clinching the Enterprise Award in 2021/2022. Mr Junique was recognized for his bold vision to create a world-class customer experience company in 1995, at a time when outsourcing in Asia was still uncharted territory. Thirty years on, TDCX is a global leader present in more than 16 geographies with more than 20,000 employees. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Junique said, 'Winning the Businessman of the Year award is incredibly humbling. I'm truly grateful to everyone who's helped and inspired me along the journey. I want to share this recognition with our amazing team, and my wonderful wife and family who've supported me through it all. 'This recognition comes at an important juncture for us. Not only is it a moment for everyone at TDCX to celebrate our bravery in aiming for what seemed impossible when we first started, but also our resilience in the face of challenges and relentless pursuit of excellence. As technology rapidly reshapes the customer experience (CX) space, we're evolving too, expanding beyond CX into AI services. This strategic move allows us to increase our total addressable market from $500 billion to over $1 trillion.' Chemin: Simplifying the future of AI Chemin's clean, typography-led logo symbolizes the brand's mission to simplify AI adoption through sharp thinking and a clear, systematic and actionable framework. To that end, TDCX has launched Chemin, an AI enablement company that helps businesses adopt and scale AI with clarity and confidence. Chemin, which means 'path' in French, was established to solve the challenges companies face in AI implementation by charting a smarter, more systematic course for AI integration, simplifying a journey often marked by complexity and confusion. While the Generative AI (GenAI) market is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032[1], companies are still struggling to operationalize it. Up to seven in 10 companies[2] struggle to integrate GenAI with existing systems and workflows, while 63 per cent lack confidence in their data management practices for AI[3]. It has also been predicted that through 2026, almost two-thirds of AI projects will be abandoned if there is no quality data to support it[4] — highlighting the importance of data preparation and technical integration in successful enterprise AI adoption. At its core, Chemin is built to solve the key barriers to successful AI adoption: fragmented data, lack of integration capabilities, and limited access to AI expertise. The company offers comprehensive support in data sourcing and transformation, model refinement and training, and workflow design to help businesses accelerate their AI implementation journey. ADVERTISEMENT Chemin's access to a vast network of industry specialists, such as robotics researchers, genomics experts and PhD professionals, coupled with its proprietary industry-specific data sets enable it to help enterprises accelerate their AI adoption journey. A proven track record and global capabilities The launch of Chemin builds on TDCX's forays into AI enablement, with its earlier tie-up with SUPA, a GenAI-powered data labeling company. The company has more than 50 specialists trained in large language models (LLMs) and data engineers based in labs across more than 18 countries. The team has completed more than 20 pilots — ranging from medical ultrasound annotation to enhancing data quality for design-to-code training in startup environments. Chemin, backed by TDCX's strong balance sheet and decades of experience, is well-positioned to accelerate AI adoption for clients by providing the infrastructure, expertise, and end-to-end support needed to scale AI effectively. Promotes internal talent to lead Chemin TDCX has appointed Ms. Lianne Dehaye, Senior Vice President, to lead Chemin. Ms. Dehaye's strong grasp of AI technologies and strong track record of driving innovation provides her with a keen understanding of how AI can transform business operations. Her practical, results-driven solutions approach has also seen her help clients successfully navigate their AI transformation journeys. Mr. Junique, said, 'Lianne has been integral to helping our clients integrate AI into their CX strategy. What sets her apart is her ability to demystify complex AI concepts and translate them into clear, actionable steps that drive real business impact. Her leadership will be key as Chemin continues to help organizations scale AI with confidence and clarity.' Ms. Dehaye, said, 'AI is a tremendous opportunity for businesses, but turning potential into performance is where many fall short. Implementation takes discipline, focus, and the right expertise. This is especially tough for traditional businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises, which lack the expertise and resources to help them. 'At Chemin, our mission is to guide companies through the complexity of AI adoption. Drawing on TDCX's decades of helping companies leverage technology for superior CX outcomes, we help organizations build a clear roadmap, from defining outcomes to training models and scaling solutions that deliver real impact.' The launch of Chemin is the latest in TDCX's corporate milestones, the most recent being the acquisition of Open Access BPO. Note to editor: The Singapore Business Awards (SBA) is jointly organised by The Business Times, a business daily published by SPH Media Limited, and DHL, the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry. SBA has grown in stature to become Singapore's most prestigious accolades in the business and corporate sectors. The awards comprise Businessman of The Year, Outstanding Chief Executive of The Year, Outstanding Overseas Executive of The Year, The Enterprise Award and Young Business Leader of The Year. Hashtag: #TDCX The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About TDCX Singapore-headquartered TDCX is a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company that provides customer experience (CX) solutions, sales and digital marketing services, and content moderation for clients across various industries. These include digital advertising and social media, e-commerce, fintech, gaming, healthtech, media, technology and, travel and hospitality. With a focus on helping companies enable the future, TDCX's smart, scalable approach—driven by innovation and operational precision—positions it as a key partner for companies targeting tangible outcomes. With more than 20,000 employees across 39 locations worldwide, TDCX provides its clients with comprehensive coverage in Asia, Europe and the United States. For more information, please visit About Chemin Chemin is an AI-enablement company that empowers businesses to realize their AI ambitions. Specializing in large language models (LLMs), Chemin helps companies move faster, think bigger, and build smarter with clean data, cutting-edge infrastructure, and expert talent across 18 countries. Chemin's access to a vast network of industry specialists such as PhD level professionals provides companies with an edge in their AI-adoption journey. With a blend of human insight and machine intelligence, Chemin makes it possible to scale AI safely and meaningfully. For more information, visit
Business Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
The optimistic, crazy ang moh who founded TDCX in his Singapore apartment
The achievements But TDCX went on to be the provider of business process outsourcing for services including customer experience and digital marketing to many companies in the city-state, with the iconic Singapore Airlines being one of them. Internationally, it counts Meta and Airbnb as the global clients it is allowed to identify. Notably, the group has been profitable every year since its inception three decades ago, but not without its resilience having been tested by the Asian financial crisis, crash, the Great Recession and Covid. It has zero debt. The group clinched the Enterprise Award at the Singapore Business Awards 2022, impressing the judges with its persistence and savviness in internationalisation, despite being in the competitive world of digital customer experience solutions. As for Junique, Singapore became the place where he built up his business empire. It is also where he has lived for more than two decades. He is married to a Singaporean, and they have three children aged 23, 22 and 18. He is a naturalised Singaporean now, after obtaining citizenship in 2023. 'I'm happy here… This is the country I've lived in for most of my life. So I thought it made sense to be in Singapore, and I'm here to stay.' The entrepreneur will celebrate his 60th birthday – as will Singapore – this year. The Asian country that intrigues Singapore was no stranger to Junique before he moved here. His parents travelled a lot for work, and had lived in the Asia-Pacific region when he was younger, and the city-state was often a stopover in their travels. When he was studying in university in France, the Economic Development Board of Singapore was frequently promoting to the European country the rise of Singapore as one of the four Asian tiger economies, which were experiencing rapid industrialisation and enjoying an economic boom. That intrigued Junique and prompted him to resign from his Unilever salesman job to check out the city-state in 1991. Armed with S$10,000 seed funding from his parents and years of their pep talks, Junique set off for the Republic to seek his fortune. 'I think I'm a bit crazy, to be honest. If you're not a bit crazy, you don't do this kind of things… Why not? Why be conventional? But at that time… I didn't have a family. I had no responsibility. So I knew I could take risks.' When he came to Singapore, he found it to be a conducive place to start a business. It also had the potential to become a launchpad to the Asian region. 'Singapore was attractive in the sense that it provided safety… Everybody spoke English. You didn't feel like you were in a foreign country as a beginner and, in retrospect, it was a good choice. Because as much as Singapore – I felt at the time – had an edge in Asia, and it was a great platform to start, it continued to outperform itself over the years and become better and better, and keep up with the times and the changes.' He did consulting work initially, then set up a business to pursue entrepreneurship – something he had dreamt of doing since 13 years old. But that failed to take off. The entrepreneur, however, was undeterred and soon founded Teledirect – the former name of TDCX – in 1995. 'I think learning from the mistakes, after so many failures, (I) eventually got to a point where you get it right.' Before this, Junique had tried his hand at other business ventures in France but those did not last. Big break Clinching the business from the payments powerhouse American Express was a big break for Junique – it provided him with a much-needed track record, and it was paying him on time. Soon, he got Pacific Internet as the next client. Similarly, this client required the outsourced staff from TDCX to work at its premises, like American Express, freeing Junique from investing in infrastructure. Then a global advertising company and an international insurer were added to his clientele. Soon, these clients saw the complementarity between TDCX and their business, and wanted to own a share in it. Junique sold a 40 per cent stake in his company for a six-figure amount to the advertising behemoth in 1997. The money gave comfort to the self-employed then 30-year-old, in knowing that he was making as much as his salaried peers. The stake sale marked the start of him making inroads into the region. It also made him realise that he had not negotiated the shareholding agreement very well. 'This was a big multinational, and I was a nobody with a very small business. So my bargaining power was not very strong… Still, it was a good deal for me at the time, given where I was.' He re-acquired his stake from the minority shareholder in 2018 at 120 times the price at which he sold it, after assessing that the 20-year partnership was not as relevant as it was intended to be. Then came Covid, which disrupted the business of TDCX as its travel and hospitality clients were severely hit. It was the first time that the company had to lay off workers, albeit only a small percentage of its staff was affected, as clients from streaming platforms and digital advertising picked up the slack from those in the upended sectors. TDCX marked the end of Covid with a stock market flotation on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021. It planned to use the shares for acquisitions to catapult it to the global arena. 'There were different forces that we were trying to address. One of them is that we had to become global at the time. We were regional, and we were transitioning into a global company. We had to, because our clients were global, and we were concerned that they would want to narrow the number of suppliers and only work with big global suppliers,' said Junique. 'We need to raise our profile. We need to raise capital. We need to acquire companies in other geographies, or do some organic growth and have more publicity.' Not retiring By then, the corporate honcho was already 56 years old – but in his own words, he became 'even more crazy with age'. Junique said it's risky in this business for the company to keep still and slowly see it decline. So he feels that the only way forward is to take calculated risks. A re-rating of the sector ignited by lowball takeovers by some industry players prompted Junique to review TDCX's public listing status. He went on to delist TDCX in 2024. When Junique sold his 40 per cent share in 1997, he had a three-year plan for TDCX to go regional, and that dream was upgraded at the time of the public listing, to become a global player. Now, he has a bigger dream, but he is keeping it under wraps from the public for the time being.
Business Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
TDCX founder Laurent Junique wins top prize at 40th Singapore Business Awards
[SINGAPORE] Laurent Junique, founder and chief executive of Singapore-headquartered TDCX, was named Businessman of the Year at the 40th Singapore Business Awards (SBA), organised by The Business Times and logistics heavyweight DHL. The awards acknowledge contributions made by companies and business leaders to Singapore's development, encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in the Republic and recognise excellence in corporate management. Junique, who was recognised for his leadership in driving a world-class digital customer experience, accepted the award at the awards ceremony held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on Thursday (May 22) evening. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat was the guest of honour. The Frenchman turned Singaporean said: 'This recognition comes at a great time for us. Not only is it a moment for everyone at TDCX to celebrate our bravery in aiming for what seemed impossible when we first started, but also our resilience in the face of challenges and relentless pursuit of excellence. 'Now, as tech rapidly changes the customer experience (CX) space, we have been making moves to get into the next phase. We're investing in the future – expanding from pure CX to new areas, like artificial intelligence services. This will help us grow our total addressable market from US$500 billion to over US$1 trillion.' Four other awards were also presented at the ceremony. GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up VIEW ALL Helen Wong, group CEO of OCBC, was named the Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year. She was lauded for sharpening OCBC's Asean-Greater China focus and maximising the synergies of the group's banking, wealth management, insurance and asset management franchise. Irving Tan, CEO of Western Digital Corporation, was presented with the Outstanding Overseas Executive of the Year award, due to his track record in driving operational excellence and transforming the global operations of the company's hard disk drive business. Singapore-listed Aztech Global clinched the Enterprise Award, as the Internet-of-Things and electronics product solutions provider has driven sustainable growth through innovation and manufacturing excellence. The award was received by Michael Mun, the company's executive chair and CEO. Carro co-founder and CEO Aaron Tan was recognised as Young Business Leader of the Year, for building a technology-first company that is revolutionising the automotive marketplace. Key focus areas for an uncertain global environment Chee gave a speech at the dinner, in which he focused on some key areas for Singapore to respond to a more turbulent and uncertain global environment. He said Singapore can further strengthen its position as a trusted business hub through several ways, such as maintaining a strong tripartite partnership between government, employers and unions; remaining open to ideas, talent and investments from around the world; and working with industry partners to create a more pro-enterprise environment for the country's businesses.
