Q2 2026 Centinel: Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026 Featuring: Origin Sleep Pte Ltd: Mattress & Bed Accessories Company of the Year 2026
Editors Letter Welcome to the Q2 2026 issue of APAC Insider magazine, where we are delighted to share the latest news, developments, and updates from across the Asia Pacific region. The APAC region is a vibrant and diverse space for innovation, advancements, and solutions that are paving the way for the years, and the generations, to come next. However, the businesses we unveil in this edition are not simply altering the trajectory of their sectors, and the future, they are changing the way we see business now. From public safety consultancy to AI-driven payment infrastructure solutions, architectural scale model production specialists to esteemed bereavement support, and so much more, this quarter’s magazine is bubbling with award-winning excellence and dedication. We can’t wait for you to flick through the digital pages to follow, and we will see you again in a few months’ time for another proud issue of our magazine. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: https://apacinsider.digital/ AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News 6. AI Productivity Is the Tip of the Iceberg. Trust Lies Beneath. 8. Dust Value: Best Tech Marketing Agency 2026 – APAC 10. PRA Façade Upgrade: Façade Renewal Innovators of the Year 2026 12. Body Sculpt Perth: Best Non-Invasive Body Sculpting Studio 2026 13. Centinel: Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026 14. Kardal PLC: Payments Infrastructure Innovation CEO of the Year 2026 (Southeast Asia): Jean Pierre Joseph André H S (JP) Gagnon & AI-Driven Unified Payments Platform Excellence Award 2026 16. Afoltern Solicitors: Most Trusted Family & Estate Law Firm 2026 – Sydney 17. WesKleen Supplies: Best Commercial Cleaning Supplies Provider 2026 – Western Australia 18. Origin Sleep Pte Ltd: Mattress & Bed Accessories Company of the Year 2026 19. RJ Models (International) Ltd: Best Architectural Scale Model Production Specialists 2026 20. Engineering Edge (Singapore) Pte Ltd: Best Global Industrial Fastener Manufacturer 2026 21. Immigration Hotspot: Best Migration Consultancy & Visa Advisory Services 2026 – Melbourne 22. Sabrina’sReach4Life: Best Suicide Prevention & Bereavement Support Organisation 2026 23. Brevity Care Software: Best Disability Service Sector Software Provider 2026 Contents
News AGIBOT, a leading robotics company specializing in embodied intelligence, announced the rollout of its 10,000th humanoid robot, becoming one of the first companies in the industry to reach this milestone at scale. More than a production figure, the achievement marks a significant step forward for the robotics industry, signaling a transition from early-stage validation to scalable, real-world deployment. “Reaching 10,000 units is not simply about producing more robots, it reflects a fundamental shift in our ability to scale,” said Peng Zhihui, CTO of AGIBOT. “As our supply chain matures and manufacturing standardizes, we are seeing a pivot from smallscale, niche applications to robust, large-scale commercial demand. The widespread deployment of AGIBOT’s robots is no longer about seeking technical viability, but about delivering scalable value and driving the adoption of embodied AI.” AGIBOT’s production trajectory highlights the pace of this transition. It took nearly two years to reach the first 1,000 units, followed by approximately one year to scale from 1,000 to 5,000. The jump from 5,000 to 10,000 was completed in just three months, representing a more than 4× acceleration in production speed compared to the previous phase. This exponential growth curve is a direct result of AGIBOT’s maturing supply chain and our continuous breakthroughs in manufacturing efficiency. This momentum has established AGIBOT as one of the first companies globally to achieve large-scale commercial deployment of humanoid robots. What once took years in complex hardware manufacturing is now happening in a matter of months. Of the 10,000 humanoid robots produced, a significant portion is already active in real-world environments. AGIBOT’s solutions are AGIBOT Reaches 10,000 Units as Real-World Demand for Robots Accelerates now deeply integrated into sectors such as logistics, showroom navigation, retail, and hospitality services, as well as the education industry. Beyond service-oriented roles, AGIBOT’s robots have also begun entering industrial workflows, operating directly on production lines to support manufacturing tasks. This momentum extends far beyond the Chinese domestic market. Driven by robust international demand, a substantial number of these 10,000 units are being deployed across AGIBOT’s expanding global footprint. From Europe and North America to key markets in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, AGIBOT is seeing a transition from initial pilot projects to repeated, large-scale rollouts, proving the universal value of its intelligent systems. As production scales and deployments expand, AGIBOT’s milestone reflects more than manufacturing capability — it signals a new phase of continuous system improvement in robotics. With thousands of robots already operating in realworld environments, ongoing usage is helping refine system performance, improve reliability, and expand application capabilities over time. At this level of scale, progress is no longer driven by isolated deployments, but by coordinated advances across hardware, software, and supply chain systems, enabling both deployment and performance to improve in parallel. For more information, please visit AGIBOT at AGIBOT.com and follow AGIBOT on: https://www.facebook.com/AGIBOT.zhiyuan https://x.com/AGIBOT_zhiyuan https://www.instagram.com/AGIBOT_ https://www.youtube.com/@AGIBOT-robot
News Nexteer Automotive celebrated the grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand. This strategic expansion marks Nexteer’s first manufacturing site in Thailand and represents the latest step in the company’s ongoing strategy to optimize its global manufacturing footprint. The new plant strengthens Nexteer’s ability to meet growing demand for advanced motion control technologies in Southeast Asia while enhancing the company’s local responsiveness and support for OEM customers. It also reinforces Nexteer’s position as a preferred supplier to leading Chinese OEMs that are rapidly expanding their presence in the region. The 5,000-square-meter facility has officially commenced production following a successful launch phase, initially focusing on Column-Assist Electric Power Steering (CEPS) systems. CEPS systems integrate the motor, controller and sensors within the steering column to deliver precise and efficient steering performance. “Nexteer is committed to delivering exceptional value and responsiveness to our OEM customers, and our new Nexteer Celebrates Grand Opening of Thailand Manufacturing Facility & Continued APAC Growth Momentum Thailand facility represents a strategic investment to expand our capabilities in Southeast Asia,” said Jun Li, Nexteer’s Sr. Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer & APAC Division President. “With this grand opening, Nexteer is now even better positioned to serve our customers’ growing needs. As we ramp up production, we will continue evaluating growth opportunities to expand our capabilities and further capitalize on the strong growth momentum in APAC, particularly in Southeast Asia.” Nexteer’s Thailand facility joins the company’s global network of 27 manufacturing plants, five technical centers and 13 customer service centers across major automotive markets worldwide. “Nexteer’s grand opening in Thailand reflects Nexteer’s commitment to growth, innovation and progress,” said Robin Milavec, President, Chief Technology Officer, Interim Global Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board Director of Nexteer Automotive. “By expanding our presence in Southeast Asia, we are advancing mobility that is safe, green and exciting while delivering technologies that create meaningful value for customers and communities worldwide.”
What enterprises cannot see in AI adoption may matter more than what they can. Recent reporting by The Guardian on AI-generated health misinformation exposed a hard truth about enterprise AI adoption. The most visible gains, in terms of faster workflows and problem solving, and lower costs, are only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath that surface lies a far more complex challenge, namely one of trust. And in industries like healthcare and insurance, that challenge is not optional. Organisations usually introduce AI as a productivity tool. Automating routine tasks, summarising long documents and faster analysis are measurably driving improvements in all manner of domains. These use cases are also relatively easy to deploy. In regulated, high-stakes environments, guardrails for safe and ethical AI use also matter. AI models alone cannot create the trust levels that high-risk and compliance-led environments need to operate them. Trust is built carefully with embedded governance and data discipline, and of course, human oversight. That level of maturity sits well beyond early experimentation or pilot programs. At EXL, the iceberg metaphor is a useful explanatory model for AI adoption. The visible productivity gains are at the tip. They are easy to see and easy to measure. But the bulk of the iceberg, the part that determines whether AI succeeds or fails at scale, sits below the waterline. That ‘underwater’ part of the iceberg includes operating models, controls, people, and processes. In practice, those controls include governance frameworks that monitor fairness and bias in AI systems, and safeguard sensitive data through strong privacy and security standards. They ensure AI-driven decisions remain explainable and auditable. Just as importantly, organisations must define clear accountability for how AI is deployed, monitored, and corrected when outcomes fall short of expectations. AI Productivity Is the Tip of the Iceberg. Trust Lies Beneath. In other words, the hidden part of the iceberg is where most of the work happens, and where most organisations underestimate the effort required. When organisations struggle with AI, it is rarely because AI is not powerful enough. Today’s models are extraordinarily capable. The failure point is almost always operational. Organisations sometimes treat AI as a plug-and-play upgrade. To tap into its full potential, AI is better treated as a living capability that is designed, governed, and continuously managed. Responsible AI at scale requires a fundamentally different way of working. We see this emerging as multidisciplinary delivery teams, referred to as “pods”, that bring together the full range of expertise needed to make AI trustworthy in realworld conditions. These teams typically include domain experts who understand the regulatory and operational realities of sectors like healthcare or insurance. Their role is critical. Without that human-led contextual knowledge, even technically accurate outputs can be misapplied, sometimes dangerously. They also include data and database engineers (especially those working with retrieval-augmented generation) who ensure models draw from accurate and auditable data By Vilas Madan Sr Vice President – Growth Leader at EXL. Where he works with enterprises operating in complex environments across APAC to operationalise data, analytics, and AI at scale.
sources. Without these strong data foundations, organisations risk relying on AI systems that lack reliable data. Prompt and model engineers are also necessary for designing and tuning AI outputs. They shape how AI handles ambiguity, guiding it with specific organisational context, and how it stays within defined boundaries. As part of these multidisciplinary teams, quality assurance and risk specialists test AI outputs for bias, hallucination, and edge cases. In high-risk environments, these concerns are far from theoretical. They are operational realities that organisations should identify before systems go live. Finally, solution architects and delivery leads ensure AI fits cleanly into existing workflows. AI that sits outside day-to-day operations is underutilised. What can deliver that utility value is embedded, governed AI. This ‘pod’ model reflects the simple truth that AI is not a static tool. Data changes, model updates, and regulatory changes all make AI evolution inevitable. Without human oversight, that evolution means organisations are using AI without the necessary guardrails. Patients, regulators and policyholders may be less trusting of organisations that do not demonstrate they are using such guardrails. In healthcare and insurance, the consequences of getting this wrong are immediate and potentially very public. Incorrect recommendations, biased decisions, or opaque reasoning can directly affect patient outcomes, creating financial risk. Once trust is lost, it is extremely difficult to recover. These risks illustrate why speed cannot be the primary metric of AI adoption success. The next wave of AI leaders will not be those who moved fastest, but those who built the right foundations. They will be the organisations that regard trust as a design requirement from the beginning. The profound intelligence of AI models is proven in the wide range of uses organisations have found for them. When AI fails, it is because organisations underestimate what it takes to make it scalable. For enterprises operating in regulated, high-risk sectors, the message is clear. Productivity gains are valuable, but they are only the beginning. Real value sits beneath the surface, in the operating models, governance structures, and multidisciplinary collaboration that reduce risks. These approaches may feature less in headlines, but they are what make AI sustainable. Organisations willing to look beyond the tip of the iceberg and invest in what lies beneath will be the ones who tap into AI’s full potential. Speed is not at the expense of quality, nor is trust sacrificed for efficiency.
Jan22686 Comprising an impassioned team of 90+ creative minds, strategic thinkers, and digital enthusiasts dedicated to helping build successful brands in the digital sphere, Dust Value was born in 2016 with the HQ based out of Mumbai, India. It has now expanded across APAC with significant presence in Singapore, Dubai, and Australia. Over the last decade, have completed 500+ end-to-end partner programs for clients across the globe in the IT and tech space. These clients benefit from an agile approach and outcomes-based framework. Underpinning this is a commitment to partnerships, with Dust Value’s partner-first philosophy being the foundation of the extraordinary growth these clients have achieved. It is the provision of these partner management services for IT and tech companies that defines the agency, with a specialised focus allowing clients in these sectors to have their entire partner lifecycle managed by this team. The measurable ROI improvements experienced as a result are a testament to the strengths inherent in this approach. “By prioritising proactive engagement and a partnerfirst strategy, we ensure that every interaction, whether a telecalling campaign or webinar, is executed with the highest level of trust and precision.” As the go-to partner for those looking for marketing solutions that integrate creativity, technology, and data, Dust Value allows its clients to experience the difference of working with a team dedicated to unlocking the full potential of their brand. Its services embody this difference, with the agency delivering a range of partner ecosystem management, integrated marketing, digital marketing, creative, PR management, analytics, and events-based services. Across these seven distinct areas, Dust Value can serve multiple industries in ways that add real value. Diving deeper into some of these areas, Dust Value’s services help streamline a partner ecosystem and lead generation, with a seamless blend of traditional and digital strategies being orchestrated across promotional elements and communication channels – ensuring cohesion and consistency across a brand’s message. Of course, this message is worthless unless it reaches a company’s target audience, and this is something else that Dust Value makes sure of, getting a brand’s story heard and recognised. Offering just a taste of how this is achieved, Dust Value prides itself on assisting its clients in building a partner ecosystem – a network of trusted allies to amplify their impact. The team then support the likes of partner strategy development, segmentation, and coordination, leading to co-marketing, co-selling, cobranding, and alliances being formed. To enhance the partner lifecycle, the agency will also cover onboarding, enablement, and performance tracking, in turn empowering its partners and fostering their long-term success. Demand and lead generation are other key aspects of its integrated marketing, and whether it is creating engaging content and precision-targeted campaigns to fuel revenue and draw in potential customers, or generating healthy, highquality leads to turn prospects into signed deals, Dust Value’s commitment to handling the entire process more than sets it apart in this dynamic landscape. “From expanding your digital footprint to orchestrating compelling campaigns, we are your partners in conquering the digital realm.” With digital marketing being a lifeline in the modern business world, effectiveness in this area is the key to scaling new heights and achieving unlimited possibility. Whether the team here are using proven SEO and SEM strategies to enhance visibility and drive traffic, or they are crafting custom strategies and meticulous media planning, everything is grounded in this drive to foster client success – specifically connecting them with their audience on a meaningful level and then connecting their brand with the world around them. Other highlights from across this full range of services include content creation, graphic design, branding, video production, data management, database services, crisis communication, reputation management, online and offline PR, and event lifecycle management (from planning and strategizing to marketing and promotion and postevent activities). Its reward management programmes – these featuring custom-built partner portals – and end-toend experiential marketing solutions – are additional highlights. Every service mentioned above is defined by the core values of innovation, strategic growth, and a results-driven focus. This starts right at the top of the agency with Mr. Arif Kazi, the driving force behind its innovation and excellence. Arif has spent more than three decades working across a variety of industries, nurturing a passion for transformative strategies in the process. His forward-thinking ethos has proven pivotal in Dust Value’s success, especially when it comes to guiding the team to lead dynamic and creative campaigns. Commenting on the team he has built, Arif told us: “Our staff are highly integral in deriving success for the agency. For example, our multilingual helpdesk representatives play a Best Tech Marketing Agency 2026 – APAC Despite there being an unfathomable amount of data available to be accessed every day, it is useless unless it can be transformed into something valuable. The key to unlocking this is a holistic marketing ecosystem – one that can refine this data and support measurable revenue growth for a business. This is where Dust Value, an integrated marketing agency specialising in the IT and technology industries, can help. Celebrated in this programme for its distinction in the world of tech marketing, we spoke with Arif Kazi, Dust Value’s visionary leader, for more on its work.
APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 9 critical role, providing linguistic expertise in various countries such as India, China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan, to name a few.” He continued: “Our internal culture is defined by a balance of high-performance execution and creativity. We foster a workplace where teams work patiently and resiliently to solve complex problems across client projects.” These differentiating points have proven integral in Dust Value distinguishing itself in the APAC market, a setting where many different languages and cultures converge. To navigate some of the challenges inherent in this setting, the agency leverages a deep understanding of local partner ecosystems, allowing it to position itself as a welcome alternative for clients who have had negative experiences with other agencies in the past. Again, this is where its partnerled model comes in, restoring trust by delivering on what was promised. “Our partner concierge model rebuilds trust through consistent, proactive engagement and measurable results.” Having positioned themselves as the premier marketing automation specialists in the APAC region, the team behind this end-to-end marketing agency are continuing to deliver precision and innovation for clients as we move through 2026, seen through upcoming initiatives like a high-performance revamp of their own digital presence and a renewed focus on key areas including marketing lifecycle management. Ultimately, these plans are designed to see that Dust Value remains the marketing partner of choice for discerning tech brands. Recognised as the Best Tech Marketing Agency 2026 – APAC on the back of its partner-led services, more on the great work Dust Value is carrying out – and the impact this had for its clients – can be seen on its website, the link to which is below. Contact: Arif Kazi, Founder and Managing Director Company: Dust Value Web Address: https://dustvalue.com/
Façades play a critical role in building performance, safety, and long-term durability, particularly in complex and high-exposure environments. Effective remediation and preventative maintenance are essential to protecting asset value and reducing risk. Here, we explore PRA Façade Upgrade’s specialist service pillars and its innovative approach to façade remediation and maintenance, as recognised in the Australian Enterprise Awards 2026. As a specialist provider of highaccess façade maintenance and remediation services, PRA Façade Upgrade has become a well known enterprise in its region of Western Australia. The company operates at the intersection of certified trade expertise and advanced industrial rope access, and its clients can rest assured that they are in good hands. “Our core mission is to deliver non-intrusive, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions that ensure the structural integrity and aesthetic longevity of commercial and residential assets.” – Yoann Mercier, Managing Director PRA Façade Upgrade operates under two clearly defined service pillars. The Façade Remediation pillar includes concrete repair, caulking, glazing, and painting, delivering comprehensive structural and aesthetic repairs carried out by multi-skilled rope access technicians experienced in complex access environments. The Preventative Maintenance pillar focuses on façade cleaning and detailed inspection and reporting, providing proactive services that support long-term building performance and durability. Effective façade maintenance is essential for all buildings, regardless of age, scale, or use. Beyond appearance, façade condition directly influences building safety, weather resistance, and operational efficiency. Through planned cleaning and detailed inspections, PRA Façade Upgrade supports informed asset management, reduces the risk of unplanned repairs, and enables building owners to make proactive decisions throughout the life of the structure. Technical excellence and industry leadership are not the sole focus of PRA Façade Upgrade. Alongside delivering specialist façade remediation and maintenance services, the company is committed to supporting the wider Western Australian community through practical social and environmental initiatives. As Yoann shared, “We actively use our business, people, and networks to contribute positively to the wider community and environment. Environmental responsibility is a core focus of this commitment.” A key part of this approach is PRA Façade Upgrade’s ongoing support of a tree planting initiative in Australia. For every project undertaken, the company funds the planting of a tree, directly linking its operations to tangible environmental outcomes. Since its inception five years ago, this initiative has contributed to the planting of over a thousand trees across Western Australia. Yoann proudly explained, “This has created a measurable and ongoing environmental impact directly linked to our operations.” “PRA Façade Upgrade is committed not only to technical excellence and innovation, but also to making a meaningful and lasting contribution to the communities and environments in which we operate.” In addition, the team participates in selected social, environmental, and mental health initiatives throughout the year. Together, these efforts reflect a culture grounded in responsibility, awareness, and genuine giving back, reinforcing PRA Façade Upgrade’s commitment to creating positive impact within the industry and the broader community. This culture is upheld by a team committed to long-term success, both for PRA Façade Upgrade and for the clients, communities, and environments the business positively impacts. Integrity, accountability, and the ability to work effectively as a team sit at the core of how PRA operates. Alongside this, the team shares a strong awareness of community and environmental responsibility, which continues to shape the way the business grows and delivers its work. When hiring, PRA Façade Upgrade places strong emphasis on attitude, character, and attention to detail, alongside technical expertiseandexperienceinfaçade remediation and maintenance. The company looks for individuals who take pride in their work and understand the importance of delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes. As Yoann explained, “Our recruitment process is designed to assess how individuals think, communicate, and engage with others, as well as their ability to operate safely, responsibly, and collaboratively in demanding environments. We look for people who take pride in their work, care about the outcome, and are motivated to contribute positively to both the team and the client experience.” By consistently investing in its people, PRA Façade Upgrade maintains a delivery model built on quality, accountability, and innovation. The team works together in a professional yet down-to-earth manner, enabling reliable outcomes across complex and technically demanding projects, while reinforcing the company’s strong reputation within the industry. All team members are encouraged to continue learning and developing within their specific areas of expertise. This makes PRA Façade Upgrade an environment where individuals can take ownership of their career progression while remaining part of a supportive team that values client satisfaction, environmental responsibility, and social awareness. Through its selective recruitment process, commitment to training, and ongoing investment in advanced access technology, PRA Façade Upgrade continues to safely deliver larger, more efficient, and less intrusive façade projects than traditional access methods would typically allow. PRA Façade Upgrade is the first and largest adopter of power ascender technology in Western Façade Renewal Innovators of the Year 2026
APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 11 Australia. The company upholds its reputation through clear communication, accountability at every stage of delivery, and a consistent commitment to delivering work to the highest standard. Yoann said: “PRA Façade Upgrade operates at the forefront of industrial rope access innovation. We combine advanced access methodologies with disciplined project execution, robust quality controls, and a strong focus on outcomes. This approach bridges the gap between traditional rope access models and the practical requirements of highquality façade remediation, ensuring access capability and workmanship standards are aligned rather than treated as separate disciplines.” Working with a diverse client base across construction, government, healthcare, and commercial property sectors, PRA Façade Upgrade has built a reputation for innovation, fairness, and reliability. The company collaborates closely with clients to tailor solutions to site conditions, technical requirements, and budget constraints, delivering practical outcomes that support long-term asset performance. Looking ahead, PRA Façade Upgrade is focused on strengthening its position as a specialist provider within the façade remediation and high-access sector, while continuing to contribute to longer-term improvement across the Australian trades industry. The company’s future direction centres on capability development, responsible technology adoption, and steady growth built on consistent delivery rather than rapid expansion. Key priorities include advocating for greater recognition of industrial rope access as a skilled discipline, continuing to invest in advanced access technology, expanding community and environmental initiatives, and reinforcing PRA Façade Upgrade’s role as a trusted partner for complex and technically demanding projects. Together, these efforts reflect a clear and purposeful approach to long-term growth that balances innovation with responsibility. Yoann added, “Our long-term goal is to build on the success of our internal Façade Repair Academy and use that experience to advocate for the formal recognition of Industrial Rope Access as a certified trade in Australia. Alongside this, we will continue to invest in cutting-edge access technology that supports safer, more efficient, and higherquality project delivery. “We will also continue to expand our community and social responsibility initiatives, using our business, people, and networks to support projects that create positive impact. At the same time, we remain focused on delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes. By continuing to invest in capability development and forming strategic partnerships, we aim to remain a trusted provider for complex façade projects across commercial, industrial, and public-sector environments.” PRA Façade Upgrade has continued to strengthen its position within the industry since the business was established, with its approach closely aligned to key market trends. As regulatory scrutiny increases and urban access constraints become more complex, PRA Façade Upgrade offers a safer, less intrusive, and more efficient alternative for delivering technically demanding façade works. With growing demand for power ascender technology, the company has not only implemented these systems at scale but has also actively contributed to their practical development through real-world application. Committed to continual improvement, the PRA Façade Upgrade team designs, fabricates, and deploys custom access solutions, including specialised personal work platforms and taskspecific systems that integrate directly with power ascenders. These solutions are developed to address unique site conditions and project requirements that standard access systems cannot adequately support. In addition, the business has established a formal partnership with a leading power ascender manufacturer, positioning PRA Façade Upgrade as the exclusive service provider and reseller for their technology in Western Australia. Yoann added, “This role extends beyond equipment supply and includes technical implementation, servicing, operator support, and the development of project-ready access solutions.” PRA Façade Upgrade keeps its fingers on the pulse of the industry while doing all it can to set the bar high and carve out new trends. This has won the company respect, recognition, and a plethora of accolades. Yoann enthused: “PRA Façade Upgrade has been recognised at an industry level through multiple Master Painters WA Awards. In 2024, we were awarded Best Textured Coatings Roll and Spray Application Open Value and named finalists for Commercial Repaint Value Over $100,000. In 2025, we were awarded Industrial and Protective Coatings Open Value and again named finalists for Commercial Repaint Value Up to $100,000. These acknowledgements reflect the quality, consistency, and technical standards delivered across our projects.” It has never been easier to find award-winning façade remediation and maintenance in Perth and, here at APAC Insider, we wish PRA Façade Upgrade every bit of success as it continues to add value to its industry, deliver excellence to its clients, and preserve and protect the environment. Company: PRA Façade Upgrade Website: perthropeaccess.com.au
APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 12 Best Non-Invasive Body Sculpting Studio 2026 Body sculpting is on the rise in Australia, driven by the fast-growing body positivity movement and complemented by a rising desire for visible results. Clients now seek treatments that enhance their natural body shape without the need for major surgery, and one leading body sculpting studio has risen to meet this demand head-on. Body Sculpt Perth is a Western Australian body sculpting salon renowned for its advanced treatments and unwavering commitment to restoring client confidence. Founder Raechel Hellen told us more below, as Body Sculpt Perth is named in the Australian Enterprise Awards 2026. Since 2020, Raechel Hellen has been on a mission to help every client feel confident, supported, and radiant in their own skin. As one of the first body-focused salons in Western Australia, results-driven salon Body Sculpt Perth specialises exclusively in advanced, non-invasive body sculpting treatments using Australianmanufactured, TGA-approved equipment. The team were among the first to introduce some of these technologies to Western Australia, positioning Body Sculpt Perth as a leading industry innovator. Body Sculpt Perth offers a wide range of non-invasive body sculpting treatments, each grounded in the core values of integrity, innovation, care, and results. These services include fat freezing, skin tightening, lymphatic drainage, cellulite reduction, muscle toning, intensive slimming treatments, and non-surgical neck lift treatments. Every client receives a personal treatment plan, tailored directly to their own individual goals, body composition, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance. “Results are at the centre of everything we do – we measure our success by the confidence and satisfaction of our client.” The salon serves a diverse client base comprising both men and women who wish to feel confident in their bodies. Many are busy professionals, parents, and businessowners who balance demanding schedules and value treatments that are effective, discreet, and require little to no downtime. Body Sculpt Perth has built a reputation amongst these clients by prioritising consistency and honesty across its treatments, ensuring that the client experience remains at the heart of its operations. “We are transparent about what our treatments can and cannot achieve, we set realistic expectations, and we focus on measurable outcomes,” Raechel told us. “We maintain high clinical standards, invest in ongoing education, and ensure that every client feels supported from consultation through to aftercare. We don’t just focus on physical changes; we focus on how those changes impact self-esteem, mood, energy, and overall wellbeing. Ultimately, our goal is long-term confidence, not just short-term results.” This approach has allowed Body Sculpt Perth to built exceptional trust within its community, with a significant proportion of its growth hailing from wordof-mouth referrals and loyal returning clients. Indeed, the salon enjoys an impeccable five-star rating on Google, with delighted clients detailing the in-depth knowledge, genuine care, and unrivalled treatments provided by Body Sculpt Perth. One client reported: “I had an excellent experience at Body Sculpt Perth and cannot speak highly enough about it. The fat freezing and lymphatic drainage treatments were incredibly effective; I noticed a significant reduction in stubborn areas and a more toned, sculpted appearance. The team was fantastic, friendly, professional, and made the entire process seamless and comfortable. If you’re looking for noticeable results and a top-tier experience, Body Sculpt Perth is definitely worth checking out!” At its core, Body Sculpt Perth strives to prioritise safety, care, and empowerment throughout every treatment it provides. The salon has made great waves across Western Australia’s aesthetics industry, introducing groundbreaking non-invasive treatments and technologies that has significantly reshaped the future of body positivity and empowerment. From its kind and caring client-approach to the total transparency it maintains around treatments, everything Body Sculpt Perth does is rooted in its overarching mission of patient empowerment. In light of Body Sculpt Perth’s recent recognition as the Best Non-Invasive Body Sculpting Studio 2026, Raechel announced: “The future for Body Sculpt Perth is focused on continuing to lead the way in luxury, results-driven body sculpting in Western Australia. In 2026, we are placing a strong focus on education and diving deeper into lymphatic health, helping clients support their overall wellbeing, energy, and lifestyle, as well as addressing any physical concerns that benefit from targeted care. “Our commitment is to provide a premium, evidence-based experience that prioritises safety, personalised care, and client confidence, empowering both women and men to feel their best – inside and out.” Contact: Raechel Hellen Company: Body Sculpt Perth Web Address: www.bodysculptperth.com.au
APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 13 Preparation and response are crucial in counter terrorism efforts, and every component of the response system must work together in seamless cohesion. Enter Centinel, a Singaporean consultancy firm that exists to drive actionable solutions within counter terrorism, delivering data-driven insights shaped by specialist knowledge whilst promoting cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to bridge any operational gaps between the public and private sectors. The firm has earned recognition in the Singapore Business Awards 2026, applauded for its endeavours to shape the next frontier of counter terrorism. We took a closer look below. Centinel was established in 2021, born from a rising need for clarity and precision within a rapidly evolving sector. From its headquarters in Singapore, the public safety and management consultancy firm provides authoritative perspectives surrounding the threat of terrorism; its impact on public safety; and strategies that can help prevent, manage, and mitigate threats to states, businesses, and the global community. This mission is led by Executive Director Dr. Jolene Jerard. After receiving her PhD in international relations from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. Jolene went on to specialise in terrorist and extremist groups across Asia. She has been an Assisting Professor with the Homeland Security Programme at Rabdan Academy, USE, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Conflict and Peace studies in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dr. Jerard is concurrently Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, where she was formerly the Deputy Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. She has conducted field research in a variety of threat zones that include Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and the insurgent areas of Bangladesh. She interviewed numerous leaders over the course of this journey, as well as members of terrorist and politico-religious groups in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Drawing from her extensive experience, Dr. Jerard has operated training programmes for counter terrorism law enforcement, security and intelligence practitioners, and analysists across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia since 2008. She has served as a consultant for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute; an instructor at the NATO Centre for Excellence – Defence Against Terrorism in Ankara; and listed as a specialist instructor for the European Union’s Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. At Centinel, Dr. Jerard leads a dynamic team of experts, scholars, practitioners, and linguists who are passionate about their line of work. These professionals are highly skilled in identifying patterns of emerging risks and threats, generating robust data-driven insights, and ultimately providing clarity amidst the complexity often clouding judgement. What’s more, Centinel connects and partners with likeminded organisations and institutions – such as ST Engineering, the Academy of Security, Intelligence, and Risk Studies (ASIRS), RIDO INC., and more – leveraging collective expertise to address challenges with speed and precision. For those needing specialist insight, Centinel delivers a range of reports that actively combine data-driven research from the field with the expert knowledge of its team. The firm also offers consultancy services, navigating complex environments to identify risk and surface strategies that will safeguard public safety and build resilience. Furthermore, it enhances the capacities of governments and civilians alike through high-quality instruction and training programmes, educating participants on how to manage risk, prevent extremism, and counter violent extremism. Centinel has also hosted an annual Counter Terrorism Forum for the last three years, with the inaugural event launched in 2023. The inperson, closed-door forum brings together regional government officials, private sector leaders, and security professionals to investigate the region’s most pressing terrorism and extremism challenges. Through dynamic discussions and strategic networking, participants build lasting connections and share methodologies for strengthening regional resilience. The 2025 Counter Terrorism Forum was particularly significant, centred on the theme of “Advancing Resilience and Collaboration” in the face of an increasingly complex and dynamic terrorism landscape. More than 50 thought leaders from over 20 countries convened to examine the Arc of Terrorism, a transregional continuum of terrorist networks, operational linkages, and ideological movements spanning Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Together, they evaluated emerging threats, reimagined strategic responses, and catalysed cross-sector collaboration. Since its inception, Centinel has worked tirelessly to provide clarity and precision to those operating within the field of counter terrorism. Through strategic collaborations and data-driven research, the firm has successfully built an ever-growing network of experts dedicated to leading the charge against terrorism. Recognised as the Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026 in the Singapore Business Awards 2026, Centinel has proven itself as an invaluable partner in counter terrorism strategy, and a crucial component of shaping a safer, more resilient future for all. Contact: Jolene Jerard Company: Centinel Web Address: www.centinel.global Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026
Licensed by the National Bank of Cambodia as a Third-Party Processor, Kardal PLC is working to build shared card infrastructure for Cambodia’s financial sector. Operating under NBC oversight and in close alignment with its regulatory framework, Kardal provides participating financial institutions with access to a common card platform — with the goal of reducing infrastructure costs, broadening access, and supporting the NBC’s financial inclusion agenda. We spoke with its CEO, Jean Pierre Joseph André H S (‘JP’) Gagnon, about the work underway and the thinking behind it. Kardal PLC’s model is straightforward in principle and deliberate in execution: rather than each bank building, certifying, and maintaining its own card infrastructure independently, Kardal provides a mutualized card platform that participating institutions connect to together. This model is designed to reduce duplication, lower the cost of card infrastructure across the sector, and allow financial institutions of all sizes to access modern card payment capabilities on an equal footing — all within a framework that operates under the oversight of the National Bank of Cambodia. The work Kardal is focused on spans two tracks. The first is domestic: building and operating a mutualized card issuing and acquiring platform, with the goal of reducing infrastructure costs for banks and expanding access to modern card payment capabilities, particularly in supporting greater use of the Khmer Riel in everyday transactions and the NBC’s broader financial inclusion agenda. The second is a longerterm pipeline initiative — the Special Payment Economic Zone (SPEZ), currently in development — which is being designed to support merchant identification for international business corporations, facilitate multi-currency card operations, and provide a structured, regulatory-aligned gateway for fintechs seeking to establish in Cambodia. The SPEZ, targeted for 2027, is not yet operational, but represents a meaningful part of Kardal’s strategic direction as it develops in close collaboration with public sector stakeholders. “The SPEZ would position Cambodia as a regional financial hub by making it easier to use riel for crossborder payments, alongside multicurrency capabilities for international transactions.” Underpinning everything Kardal does is the regulatory environment the NBC has created. The NBC’s TCRMG has produced a framework that is both rigorous and progressive — one that enables genuine innovation without compromising stability. Bakong stands out in particular: very few central banks have built a distributed ledger-based national payment rail from scratch, and the NBC has done exactly that. Kardal operates within that ecosystem and is building card infrastructure designed to be complementary to what the NBC has already put in place — not a parallel system, but a connected one. Card rails and Bakong serve different but complementary functions, with Bakong strengthening domestic rielbased payments, while card infrastructure supports broader acceptance and cross-border use cases. Together, they provide institutions and their customers with a broader range of payment flexibility across domestic and international transactions. This shapes Kardal’s approach at every level. Its role is to ensure that Cambodia’s card infrastructure meets the same standard of reliability, compliance, and governance that the NBC expects across the financial system as a whole — working within the framework the regulator has established, not around it. At the helm of this work is JP Gagnon, whose career spans more than 25 years across banks, issuers, and processors in both Europe and Asia. The experience he brings to Kardal is practical and operational — covering EMV migration, PCI compliance, mPOS deployment with global card schemes, realtime digital banking, and B2B payment infrastructure across regulated financial institutions in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Having worked within regulated bank environments, JP understands how financial institutions adopt technology, manage risk, and navigate compliance — and this perspective is embedded directly into how Kardal designs and delivers its card infrastructure. Prior to Kardal, JP was recognised as one of the 30 International Voices in Finance in 2024, an honour awarded following his leadership of teams that achieved 12 Visa and Mastercard innovation awards. These are the foundations on which Kardal has been built. At the centre of Kardal’s platform offering is the Kardal Unified Payments Portal (KUP) — an agentic, orchestrationdriven platform that enables banks, PSPs, and fintechs to deploy card issuing and acquiring capabilities within a standardised, certified framework. A recent major update, led by JP and his team, has expanded KUP into a comprehensive, modular card operations platform — built for compliance, designed for auditability, and engineered to support secure card transactions across the institutions it serves. KUP is not simply a connectivity layer. It provides institutions with full control across card payments, compliance, billing, and AI governance, alongside usage streams, pricing tiers, and omnichannel customer support. A key component is its agenticAI orchestration layer — a governed system that operates strictly within defined policy guardrails, with configurable playbooks, integrated approval workflows, cost caps, and rollback capabilities built in. All actions are fully auditable. This is not AI deployed for its own sake — it is AI deployed within the kind of disciplined, accountable framework that regulated institutions require. KUP also embeds practical intelligence directly into card acquiring operations: dynamic MCC mapping aligned with real merchant activity, margin modelling Payments Infrastructure Innovation CEO of the Year 2026 (Southeast Asia): Jean Pierre Joseph André H S (JP) Gagnon & AI-Driven Unified Payments Platform Excellence Award 2026 Kardal PLC
APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 15 in blended MDR environments, transaction behaviour insights, card mix and scheme distribution visibility, and chargeback exposure profiling. The intent is to transform card acquiring from a static configuration into a continuously informed, data-supported capability — one that institutions can rely on and regulators can have confidence in. Beyond the platform itself, Kardal invests in building card payment knowledge across the institutions it works with — covering compliance requirements, scheme standards, and operational best practices. Cambodia’s card market is still developing, and the institutions entering it benefit from structured support alongside access to infrastructure. Building knowledgeable people is as important as building reliable systems. Ultimately, what Kardal stands for can be distilled simply: building card rails that are connected, certified, and trusted. Strong card infrastructure requires more than technology — it requires the right regulatory environment, the right institutional relationships, and a genuine commitment to doing things properly. Cambodia has the foundation, built in no small part by the NBC’s progressive and disciplined approach to financial sector development. Kardal’s role is to build carefully on it. It is in recognition of this platform, and the leadership driving it, that we are proud to present Kardal with the AI-Driven Unified Payments Platform Excellence Award 2026, and to name JP Gagnon the Payments Infrastructure Innovation CEO of the Year 2026 (Southeast Asia). Further information on JP is available via his LinkedIn profile here, and full details on Kardal can be found at the web address below. Contact: JP Gagnon Company: Kardal PLC Web Address: https://kardal.org/
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