CEO Insights Magazine

Fostering a culture of integrity and accountability within an organization, a Chief Compliance Officer in a business ensures adherence to legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. From maintaining stakeholder trust to ensuring sustainable growth, and protecting the business from compliance-related disruptions, a CCO helps prevent legal violations, mitigates risks, and safeguards the company's reputation. Exemplifying excellence in this capacity is Jason Teoh Kheng Swee, CCO of Revenue Group Berhad. Jason sustains motivation and accountability through a balanced approach, prioritizing work-life harmony, setting clear goals, and promoting open communication within his team.

His dedication to continuous education and training ensures that his team remains aligned with the latest regulatory standards. With strategic initiatives such as robust internal controls, advanced technology utilization, and transparent practices, effectively manage compliance risks, and with a foundation of humility and progressiveness, Jason navigates challenges by focusing on sustainable actions and customer-centric solutions, fostering an environment of trust and innovation.

CEO Insights Asia engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Jason Teoh Kheng Swee, let’s hear more from him about his journey to success.

As a compliance leader, how do you stay motivated and maintain a strong sense of accountability in your compliance duties?

As a Chief Compliance Officer, staying motivated and maintaining high accountability are crucial aspects of my role. I prioritize work-life balance for myself and my team, ensuring we remain energized and effective. This balance prevents burnout and keeps us motivated, enabling me to tackle challenges and lead by example. Personally, I set specific short-term and long-term goals, providing direction and purpose. Reflecting on the positive impact of my work on the organization and its stakeholders fuels my motivation. Additionally, I make time for activities that recharge me, such as spending time with family, engaging in hobbies, or relaxing.

Maintaining accountability involves setting clear expectations, planning ahead, and regularly reviewing progress to ensure we meet our goals. Transparency in compliance issues build trust within the team and emphasize the importance of our work. Ultimately, the combination of a commitment to work-life balance and a personal agenda to stay motivated underpins my ability to lead effectively and maintain high standards in business compliance matters.

How do you foster a culture of compliance & ethics within an organization while addressing risk & control, business efficiency, & sales surveillance strategy & framework as you lead a team of compliance officers?

Promoting a culture of compliance and ethics requires effective communication at all levels. As Chief Compliance Officer, I ensure consistent communication, emphasizing compliance and fostering open dialogue. I provide regular training on regulatory requirements, risk management, ethical standards and encourage my team to continually enhance their knowledge through courses. Empowering compliance officers is crucial; I delegate responsibilities and provide resources, tools, and support for effective monitoring and enforcement. By maintaining open communication, integrating compliance into daily operations, and leading by example, we embed compliance into the organizational culture, mitigating risks, driving efficiency, and positioning Revenue Group as a leader in payment solutions.

What strategies have you employed to monitor & assess compliance risks within the organization?

To monitor and assess compliance risks within the organization, I employ simplified strategies with minimal jargon, ensuring clarity and understanding to all levels in the organization, leveraging on technology for monitoring, conducting regular risk assessments, and fostering a culture of ‘open communication and transparency’.

My approach emphasizes sustainable actions and logical processes, aligning compliance initiatives with customer needs and regulatory imperatives. By adopting a consultative and open-minded leadership style, I encourage diverse viewpoints and collaboration, driving innovation and effective decision-making. Integrating compliance into the strategic framework, I stress proactive risk management and continuous improvement, enhancing processes with technology and maintaining a customer-centric focus.

How do you stay updated with the latest regulations and compliance requirements relevant to the industry?

To stay updated with the latest regulations and compliance requirements relevant to the industry, I engage with regulatory bodies, participate in industry forums, subscribe to professional publications, leverage advanced technology for real-time updates, and foster a culture of continuous learning within my team. As a member of the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance, I stay informed on related matters.

What major challenges did you face when establishing yourself as a successful leader in the compliance domain, & how did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?

Establishing myself as a successful leader in compliance management required unwavering determination and the persistence to uphold my core beliefs. I emphasized sustainable actions, logical processes, and customer-centric solutions. By adhering to these principles, I navigated challenges in the compliance landscape. My commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative decision-making fostered trust and innovation. This persistent dedication to my values enabled me to achieve lasting results, solidifying my position as a successful professional in the compliance field.

What is the next goal you have envisioned for your journey?

Looking ahead, I am eager to embark on the next phase of my professional journey, ready to seize new opportunities and confront challenges. Being recognized as CEO Insight Asia Top 10 Chief Compliance Officer 2024 in Malaysia for the second consecutive year is a humbling honor, highlighting the collective efforts of my colleagues and the support of our Executive Directors and Board Members at Revenue Group. Their unwavering trust, guidance, and mentorship have significantly contributed to my growth and success in strategic compliance administration.

As I navigate forward, I remain committed to upholding values of humility and progressiveness. These qualities shape my leadership approach with tenacity and perseverance. Humility keeps me grounded, reminding me to learn from everyone and encourages continuous improvement. Maintaining an open mind fosters innovation by embracing diverse perspectives and ideas, essential in evolving regulatory landscapes and dynamic business environments. With this foundation of values and ongoing support, I look forward to advancing excellence in compliance and fostering a culture of integrity, respect, and progress at Revenue Group Berhad.

Jason Teoh Kheng Swee, Chief Compliance Officer, Revenue Group

Jason Teoh Kheng Swee, Chief Compliance Officer at Revenue Group, is dedicated to fostering a culture of compliance and ethics. He emphasizes work-life balance, open communication, & continuous learning within his team. His commitment to innovation, proactive risk management, & upholding integrity ensures sustainable compliance & business excellence.