Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the hospitality arm of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is ramping up its talent development initiatives in preparation for its extensive global growth, with plans to launch over 300 new properties by 2028. This rapid expansion will create more than 12,000 new jobs, including over 1,500 leadership positions in property management. To support this growth, Ascott is introducing Ascott Accelerate, a cutting-edge talent program designed to fast-track high-potential employees into senior leadership roles in the hospitality industry. This program will be enhanced by a new digital learning platform, offering flexible and accessible training opportunities for employees across all levels.
These efforts are part of the broader Ascott Global Academy for Excellence (AGAX), a state-of-the-art training and development hub that was launched in 2024. AGAX is focused on building a workforce equipped to meet future challenges while also supporting Ascott’s goal of achieving S$500 million in fee-related earnings by 2028. The academy is overseen by the Ascott Learning Council, co-chaired by Ms. Wong Kar Ling, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director for Southeast Asia, and Mr. Lee Ngor Houai, Chief Operating Officer for EMEA, South Asia, and China.
In 2024, Ascott achieved its third consecutive record year of fee-related earnings, reaching S$343 million, marking a 12% year-on-year increase. This milestone was driven by a 6% rise in revenue per available unit (RevPAU) and the addition of 11,700 units across 54 properties. Today, Ascott operates over 990 properties across more than 230 cities globally, with two-thirds of these already operational. The company is advancing its growth through a multi-brand strategy that expands its presence in key markets. A prime example of this strategy is Malaysia, where Ascott boasts a portfolio of over 40 properties, ranging from serviced residences and hotels to resorts, social living spaces, and branded residences. Penang, home to 21 of these properties, has been chosen as the launch location for both Ascott Accelerate and the new digital learning platform during the Ascott Learning Festival, highlighting Malaysia’s crucial role in driving the company’s global expansion.
Mr Lee Ngor Houai said: “At Ascott, our vision is to be the preferred hospitality company, enriching global living with heartfelt experiences. To deliver on this, we have expanded our portfolio beyond serviced residences to include hotels, resorts, social living spaces and branded residences, offering guests more choices under our brand promise ‘Stay Your Way.’ Our multi-typology brand framework not only caters to the diverse needs of today’s travellers, but also empowers our associates to develop broad-based expertise and thrive across different accommodation formats. As our business continues to grow and diversify, we remain deeply committed to developing our people, ensuring they have the skills and support to grow with us. Looking ahead, talent development will remain central to our strategy as we expand globally, with over 300 new properties set to become operational by 2028.”
Ms Wong Kar Ling said: “To future-proof our talent pipeline, we are excited to launch Ascott Accelerate, a comprehensive initiative designed to nurture high-potential talent at every stage of their hospitality careers. This programme supports associates from entry-level roles to key property leadership positions, such as Residence Manager and General Manager. Through mentorship, on-the-job training, project-based learning and e-learning, Ascott Accelerate will shape the next generation of hospitality leaders, equipping them with the capabilities to drive our continued success. As the training needs of our organisation evolve, we are also exploring partnerships with leading hospitality institutions to enhance the professional credentials of our team. We welcome individuals with a passion for hospitality to join us at Ascott, where opportunities to grow and thrive are part of our dynamic journey.”
Ascott Accelerate offers three distinct career growth paths designed to foster professional development:
- Aim focuses on establishing key leadership abilities, laying the groundwork for supervisors to step into managerial roles.
- Advance sharpens the management expertise needed to lead as heads of departments, enhancing decision-making and operational leadership.
- Aspire prepares associates for future roles as Residence Managers and General Managers, providing hands-on, curated learning experiences that help them develop the leadership agility necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing hospitality industry.
To further enhance the program, Ascott is introducing a cutting-edge digital learning platform, allowing associates to access training at their convenience, anytime and anywhere. The platform offers specialized content across vital operational functions—such as guest services, housekeeping, property management, digital technologies, and finance—enabling associates to acquire relevant skills at their own pace while managing daily duties.
Additionally, Ascott enriches learning opportunities through initiatives like the Ascott Global Exchange Programme and Ascott Learning Festivals. The exchange program offers high-potential associates short-term international assignments, helping them expand their global perspectives, adapt to diverse environments, and learn from top-performing teams worldwide. The Ascott Learning Festivals are immersive in-person events where associates gain valuable insights into emerging industry trends, new skills, and best practices, presented by leading experts and thought leaders.
Ms Wong added: “Hospitality is about connecting people across places, cultures and possibilities. At Ascott, we believe those connections should begin within our own teams. Just as we aspire to offer global living to our guests, we are equally committed to giving our associates the opportunity to experience the global nature of our business – whether through international assignments or globally connected platforms like our learning festivals. These initiatives reflect not only the scale of our operations but also why many are drawn to hospitality: a passion for people, culture and discovery.”
