Take five – time out with #TeamISG: Antony Chui

Tell us about your background. What led you to ISG?

I did have quite a diverse background where I mainly worked within the supply chain sector specifically in industrial woodwork and joinery. I was a production manager of two factories specialising in turnkey solutions and was fortunate to deliver joinery work for key projects in both Singapore and Dubai. 
My career progressed and I later had the opportunity to move to a different role for a renowned joinery business and was relocated to Sri Lanka and Maldives, where we delivered a number of iconic projects. 
Fast forward a few years, and post COVID, it was time to return to Singapore, where my now colleague Leroy Chen introduced me to ISG. I joined the business as a senior project manager and it’s been a really interesting career shift to work on the client side to oversee a comprehensive scope of deliverables. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

Through the years, I developed a habit of waking up very early every morning. I believe it boosts my productivity and I can enjoy some focus time to tidy up before I press start on a busy schedule ahead. I can assure you, there is never a dull moment when working in construction. Every day we learn something different on site, and we’re constantly seeking to maximise efficiencies both on site and across our teams.  

What do you like to get up to in your spare time?

I like to assemble radio control (RC) planes. I enjoy that first test flight and the sense of pride when seeing the aircraft fly high. I always take the kids to explore nature as well, since growing-up that was how I spent my childhood, and I want them to enjoy the outdoors to balance out all the time spent on screens and within the digital arena. Back at home, I enjoy watching docuseries on Netflix, which is a great way to unwind after a busy day.

What are your thoughts on Women in Construction and why do you think diversity in the workplace is so important?

Personally I’ve always believed in the value of a diverse workplace. It acknowledges the individual strengths of each employee and the potential they bring. Valuing the difference of others is what leads to success, a thriving workplace and a fair work culture. 

What excites you most about the Singapore construction industry today?

Having worked in the construction sector for over 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to experience its progress and development. What fascinates me the most is the recent adoption of technology and how it enhances our work. We are constantly introducing innovative and advanced solutions through different stages in our scope of work, which improves our project delivery efficiency. 
The most exciting part for me is when I see people use the space we’ve delivered and witness the dynamics, interactions and collaborative behaviours that bring the project to life.

Share one defining moment in your career that has shaped your management style.

Coming from an industrial background, I must admit that our ways of management were different than those that we are currently applying at ISG. In my previous roles, the management lead with a directive approach, and a top-down approach. While at ISG, it’s far more collaborative and innovative with everyone having a voice and an opportunity to contribute. It’s a daily learning experience when working on site with the team, and I’m now responsible for a broader scale of work. I learn a lot from the team, and we are constantly working together to improve our ways of doing business and allocating resources to best serve the client. It is important to identify each members’ unique ability and allocate roles that best serve the project’s objectives.

How do you feel ISG is poised to respond to opportunities in Singapore’s construction sector?

As an international construction specialist, ISG has strong global and local expertise to support our clients with workspace delivery. The business is agile to change and embraces and adopts new innovation quickly, especially within digital engineering, HSQE and ESG.
ISG in Singapore has already an impressive portfolio of successfully delivered projects for key clients across multiple sectors, and I know that our teams’ expertise and experience is a significant factor in helping us secure work with new clients and emerging sectors. 

What is a work ethic that you live by?

I believe in having a strong relationship with the team, and I set an approachable environment where my colleagues feel comfortable in sharing problems or concerns, so we can solve them together. With clients, maintaining a professional relationship instils trust and confidence in our ability to deliver any task.

If you could have any superhero power in the world, what would it be? And why?

Well, that question suggests so many possibilities, but if I were to choose only one, I’d say mind reading. I’d really like to know what others might do in advance and what they are thinking. 

What are some of the biggest opportunities in Singapore’s built environment that excites you?

The construction scene in Singapore is constantly thriving, however projects that really excite me are Marina Bay Sands, Resort World Sentosa Casino, and Universal Studios, which are landmarks and iconic developments.