CEO Insights Magazine

Gone are the days when financial leaders merely crunched numbers and balanced cash flows. Today, a successful CFO is not just a financial strategist but also a people leader, guiding organizations through economic turbulence and transformation. According to the CFO Survey - 2023 by Deloitte, the role has significantly augmented beyond traditional responsibilities to include strategic leadership, technological proficiency, and risk management, with 88 percent now required to be key strategic leaders. At this pivotal intersection of finance, strategy, tech, and human capital stands Justin Wong, the visionary CFO of Epic Group.

Beginning as a Certified Practising Accountant with one of the Big Four accounting firms, he was exposed to a wealth of learning experiences during mainland China's rapid development, laying the groundwork for his future success. His instrumental role at a private equity firm offered him a deep understanding of the media, information technologies, e-commerce and internet-related industries, particularly in driving M&A and facilitating companies' public debuts and capital raising.

Subsequently, as a leader at PPG Industries, Justin spearheaded corporate development across the Asia Pacific, honing his ability to navigate various industries such as building and construction, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, metal packaging. Now, as the CFO of Epic Group, his responsibilities extend to raising capital, strategic transformation, facilitating growth through strategic acquisitions, and steering the company towards a successful public offering. Take advantage of this exclusive interview by CEO Insights Asia with Justin Wong and harness the invaluable wisdom he imparts.

What would you say has been your success mantra throughout these years?

My success mantra has always been continuous learning and adaptability. Embracing new challenges and industries has allowed me to stay dynamic and innovative. Building strong teams and fostering a collaborative environment has also been crucial. Driving growth and supporting companies in their journeys has been my greatest motivation.

As the Group Chief Financial Officer of Epic Group, how do you plan to leverage your extensive professional experience to enhance the organization's profile?

In my role, managing the finance function is just one aspect. A significant part of my responsibilities involves building the organization from top to bottom. Starting at the top, I support the board in identifying and recruiting the right individuals for the executive leadership team. This includes selecting and finalizing recruitment for the entire leadership team.

Beyond that, within the finance department and other corporate functions, the focus has been on creating a highly engaged and motivated team. Developing a talented team and helping them grow their careers within the organization is a priority. Encouraging them to build their own teams by recruiting young talent and placing them in key roles is essential as well. This approach exposes them to various activities within the group and nurtures their development. By continuously focusing on this aspect, we are building a solid and strong bench to support ongoing business growth and improvement.

What kind of working environment have you established in your organization that nurtures employee growth?

The environment I foster emphasizes collaboration, teamwork and high-performance culture. Encouraging people to work together generates innovative ideas and maintains a strong focus on results. By developing a team that is proactive, creative and result-oriented, we ensure that everyone is motivated and satisfied with their contributions to the organization. My ultimate goal is to develop future, charismatic leaders who could excite and attract their followers, inspire and empower others with new ideas and resources, and transform the entire organization and our community with better life.

What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself and the organization over the next five years? How do you keep yourself up to date with ongoing industry trends?

I am committed to building sustainable growth for the organization. My future career goals include taking the company to the next level by driving major transformation projects. This involves raising capital, pursuing growth through acquisitions, and preparing the company for an IPO. Additionally, I am focused on extensive automation and digitization across the company to enhance overall financial and operational efficiency. Improving overall business processes will also be a key priority to ensure we remain competitive and agile in the market.

Staying current in the industry is also a priority. I constantly seek new knowledge and keep abreast of industry developments by engaging with colleagues across different functions and maintaining conversations with customers, suppliers, and bankers. Frequently attending industry-related seminars and summits to interact with industry leaders helps to a great extent.

As a leader in the industry, what piece of advice would you like to give to upcoming leaders?

I would suggest financial professionals think beyond traditional finance roles. They should focus on how they can support and drive business growth, develop and influence others, add value to the entire organization – rather than just reporting financial numbers. It's important to adopt the mindset of a business entrepreneur with a compelling vision, managing and operating the finance function with passion and purpose as if it were their own business. This approach will enable them to make a more significant impact and contribute to the overall success of the company.

Justin Wong, Group CFO, Epic Group

With an impressive 30-year career, Justin has gained extensive experience across multiple industries including construction, automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics. His previous roles include key positions at renowned companies such as PPG Industries, Morningside Group, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte.