AscendEX designates Shane Molidor new CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- AscendEX, a global cryptocurrency financial platform has appointed Shane Molidor as Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds the exchange’s founding partner, George Cao, who will continue to support AscendEX as Chairman.

Molidor, who joined AscendEX (formerly BitMax) in May of 2019 as Head of Business Development and was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) in December last year, has worked professionally in the cryptocurrency industry since 2015 at top-tier institutions in both the United States and China.

A highly-regarded leader, Molidor brings to the role an intimate understanding of exchange infrastructure, custody solutions, evolving regulations, and marketplace dynamics spanning both Eastern and Western Demographics.

“I am confident to pass AscendEX’s reins to Shane,” says Cao, former Ceo and Co-Founder in a statement, and thanked his team and community over the past five years for the endearing support given to him and the company, and for the confidence entrusted to his qualified successor.

Molidor began his career in Strategy Consultation at the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Princeton University before working at Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian, in Business Development, Institutional Sales, and Client Services.

 Most recently, he was the Global Head of FBG One at FBG Capital, a diversified financial institution dedicated to the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to succeed George and lead AscendEX into a new phase of progress and growth,” notes Molidor. “As we continue to build, I am confident in the vision and the road ahead for this company, this team, and AscendEX users.”

AscendEX is making crypto trading easier with innovative new products and an enhanced user experience.

For more information, visit https://ascendex.com.

-- BERNAMA

Opened: Nippon Express (Belgium) Genk Logistics Centre

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express (Belgium) N.V./S.A., a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, has established its fourth business location in Belgium -- the Genk Logistics Centre -- in Genk Green Logistics Park situated in the east of the country.

The Centre opened for business in late April, according to a statement.

With Europe's e-commerce market growing alongside the spread of COVID-19 infections, momentum is building behind moves to relocate, consolidate, and expand distribution centres, especially for apparel industry customers.

Adjacent to the terminal port for barge transport from the port of Antwerp, the new Centre is in a location connecting railway terminals serving other European destinations with Liege Airport, securing a geographical advantage at the heart of a European logistics network encompassed by a mass-consumption area comprising Germany, the Netherlands and France.

A variety of energy-saving equipment (solar and wind power generators, water-circulating systems, etc.) has been introduced to help achieve carbon neutrality, and the Centre intends to acquire BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification in future.

The NX Group will be stepping up efforts on behalf of the apparel industry, positioned as a priority industry in its Business Plan, and will continue expanding its logistics functions in Europe to assist customers in developing their business activities.

More details at https://www.nipponexpress.com/

-- BERNAMA

BEST'S COMMENTARY: EMBEDDED INSURANCE GRADUALLY GAINING A FOOTHOLD

MEXICO CITY, June 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- With the use of embedded insurance gaining greater global traction, AM Best notes that the role of regulation in protecting policyholders is critical and serves to encourage further acceptance of this distribution concept.

Embedded insurance coverage is developed by a carrier, but is distributed through non-insurance channels. It also is available across multiple markets, although it lacks common characteristics in terms of transparency, regulation and overall success. It often complements another product or service offered and has a limited insured amount.

In a new Best’s Commentary, titled, “Embedded Insurance Gradually Gaining a Foothold,” AM Best notes that in the United States, embedded insurance is starting to gain interest across the whole distribution chain and companies are working on facilitating its implementation. E-commerce and insurtech have given rise to specialty insurers that use embedded insurance as their main distribution channel. Across Latin America, leading online retailers offer extended guarantees on a range of electronic devices. Using blockchain, companies—mostly in Europe—are developing insurance solutions that can be embedded in noninsurance products. Additionally, embedded insurance is similar to microinsurance in that it can foster financial inclusion and enhance insurance culture in less-educated or low-income segments of the population by normalizing and promoting insurance coverages in goods that most view as essential. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=43350

NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS SUPPORTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF TCFD

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express Holdings Inc has recently expressed its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).

According to a statement, the NX Group has identified climate change initiatives as one of the key issues (materialities) to be addressed in realising its long-term vision of becoming ‘a logistics company with a strong presence in the global market’.

In addition, it is working to reduce CO2 emissions in its own business operations as well as creating products and services that help customers cut their CO2 emissions.

The NX Group will be utilising the TCFD's recommendations henceforth to analyse the risks and opportunities presented by climate change to its business, evaluate their financial impacts, and disclose relevant information.

The NX Group is scheduled to make the first such disclosure following endorsement of the recommendations in its integrated report to be issued this fiscal year (in June 2022).

TCFD is an international initiative established by the FSB in 2015 to encourage companies to disclose information on the financial impact of climate change risks and opportunities on their businesses.

The TCFD recommends assessing the financial impacts of climate change risks and opportunities on management and disclosing information on ‘governance’, ‘strategies’, ‘risk management’, and ‘indicators and targets’.

The NX Group will continue practising sustainable management from a long-term perspective to help realise a sustainable society by tackling climate change.

More details at https://www.nipponexpress.com/

-- BERNAMA

MARY KAY INC. COLLABORATES WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS TO SUPPORT NATIVE OYSTER RESTORATION PROJECTS

 

DALLAS, May 20 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Oyster reefs benefit humans and the environment through a suite of ecosystem services. A single oyster can filter up to 240 liters of water a day, resulting in increased water quality and clarity and support a unique and highly diverse community of fish and invertebrate marine species. At the same time, oyster reefs are the world’s most threatened marine habitat, with an estimated 85 percent loss globally.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220519005168/en/

 

In celebration of World Endangered Species Day and International Day for Biological Diversity, Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in corporate sustainability, announced its collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and European partners to support native oyster restoration projects in the UK and continental Europe.

TNC helped to launch the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA), a European network made up of governmental agencies, scientists, NGOs, oyster growers, and private enterprises. The teams are collaborating on the restoration of the native European flat oyster habitat so it once again supports the biodiversity that relies on it and helps improve water quality.

“Oyster reefs are some of the best investments we can make in conserving natural systems,” said Dr. Elizabeth McLeod, who leads on reef conservation for TNC’s Global Reef Program. “Healthy oyster populations ensure cleaner water and help shield coastal areas and the people who live there from the impacts of climate change. With support from funders like Mary Kay, TNC can restore and protect these important systems for the long term.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=43207

ISG: Digitisation drives ServiceNow growth in Singapore, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Many enterprises in Singapore and Malaysia are aggressively investing in ServiceNow solutions to navigate changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the trend toward digital transformation, according to a new research report published by Information Services Group (ISG).

The 2022 ISG Provider Lens™ ServiceNow Ecosystem Partners report for Singapore and Malaysia finds the growth of ServiceNow in 2021 was even faster in Asia than on a global basis.

In Singapore and Malaysia, the services ecosystem surrounding ServiceNow grew substantially, with providers investing heavily in people and processes to better serve clients, according to a statement.

“The pandemic led many companies in Singapore and Malaysia to adopt digital platforms like ServiceNow for better business performance. Others that waited too long, or haven’t been able to change, may be left behind,” said Deepraj Emmanuel, director, ISG Asia.

Especially in Singapore, enterprises are engaging with ServiceNow ecosystem partners to support digital transformation, the report says. To achieve tangible, repeatable business results, they need consistent teams of ServiceNow experts and proven, flexible implementation methods.

The adoption of ServiceNow in Singapore and Malaysia reflects the local economy, ISG says. Local and multinational manufacturers lead the pack, along with banking, financial services and telecommunications companies.

The report also explores other aspects of the ServiceNow ecosystem in the region, including the growth of local and niche service providers and the challenge of consistently delivering two major ServiceNow upgrades every year.

The 2022 ISG Provider Lens™ ServiceNow Ecosystem Partners report for Singapore and Malaysia evaluates the capabilities of 23 providers across three quadrants: ServiceNow Consulting Services, ServiceNow Implementation and Integration Services and ServiceNow Managed Services Providers.

The report names Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant and Infosys as Leaders in all three quadrants. It names Deloitte, HCL and Wipro as Leaders in two quadrants each and EY, IBM, KPMG and TCS as Leaders in one quadrant each.

More details at www.isg-one.com.

-- BERNAMA

Hearables' Shipments to Exceed 200 Million Globally by 2024 - Juniper Research

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- A new study by Juniper Research has found hearables shipments will exceed 200 million units by 2024, up from 165 million in 2022; representing total growth of 30 per cent over the next two years.

According to a statement, the report identified assistive and healthcare-focused hearables segments, typified by Nuheara’s IQbuds and Bose’s SoundControl Hearing Aids, as key to this growth.

These devices facilitate proactive management of hearing loss and other medical conditions; enabling long-term care cost savings compared to traditional therapies. As such, it anticipates that these segments will comprise 18 per cent of hearables’ shipments by 2024, compared to 12 per cent in 2021.

The new research, Hearables: Emerging Opportunities, Competitor Leaderboard & Market Forecasts 2022-2026, also highlighted that growing implementation of ‘right to repair’ legislation has potential to limit future hearables shipments.

To overcome this, it recommends vendors leverage the growing capabilities of digital voice assistants to address emerging hearables use cases, including industrial monitoring, and productivity enhancement, with the goal of expanding revenue streams and capturing early market share.

The report forecasts the US and Germany will grow to account for 50 per cent of total hardware revenue from emerging hearables use cases by 2024. It highlighted high levels of industrial digitalisation, allied with widespread connectivity and ubiquitous consumer devices, as key to these countries’ positions as leaders.

The new report also identified Apple as leading the hearables market using the Juniper Research Competitor Leaderboard, which provides an independent assessment of hearables vendors’ market standing.

Research author Adam Wears explained: “Our research anticipates sustainability initiatives will impact future hearables shipments, meaning vendors must target product comprehensiveness, rather than specificity, to attract consumers.”

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector; providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.

-- BERNAMA