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Alfred

Senior Vice President

Technology Group

Alfred

Alfred is a Software Engineer in Business Partner and Solutions, specifically on the Securities Financing team. He drives the technology implementation, guiding his team to proficiency with the selected technology stack, and foster collaboration to deliver the required functionalities that satisfy both business and technical requirements. 

Outside of work, Alfred is actively involved in church, particularly in supporting mass services and lives an active lifestyle by cycling. Additionally, he has a personal goal to achieve financial independence by the time he retires.  

Why did you decide to join GIC?

My decision to join GIC was driven by a desire for a workplace that truly values attracting and retaining top talent. Several of my former colleagues had moved to GIC, and I reached out to one of them to learn more about the work environment and how it compared to my previous employer. I was intrigued to hear about the department’s focus on automation and new tech projects aimed at enhancing business efficiency. 

Ultimately, I chose GIC for several reasons, primarily because of GIC’s commitment to securing and nurturing the best talent in the market to achieve their long-term objectives. GIC’s dedication to advancing technology to better support the business was evident, offering numerous opportunities for me to apply and further develop my expertise. Additionally, the chance to contribute to growing Singapore’s reserves and gaining experience on the buy-side of the investment world, after 11 years on the sell-side, was incredibly appealing. 

What does your typical workday look like?

My mornings begin with preparing breakfast for my daughters and enjoying the meal with them. After taking them to the train station nearby, I usually walk back home, which provides a refreshing start to the day. My workday officially starts by checking my emails and reviewing new code submitted by my team followed by a daily catch-up, and discussions or code reviews with team members. 

For lunch, I usually join my team members at various spots around Tanjong Pagar. Afterward, we often head to the cafe on Level 38 for tea or coffee and have casual conversations about our lives outside of work. The afternoon is typically filled with discussions with business users about project-related requirements and future plans, as well as knowledge-sharing sessions and task planning with my team. I also spend time to code or engage pair programming with my team until it’s time to wrap up and prepare for the next day.  

What do you like most about working here?

The opportunity to collaborate with people who are incredibly driven and passionate about software development. This enthusiasm is not limited to my own team but extends to colleagues from other teams as well. The environment creates an inspiring and motivating workplace. 

How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?

 On the technology side, I’ve deepened my knowledge of AWS and earned my AWS Solution Architect (Associate level) certification in 2020. Given the increasing prevalence of cloud technology, this certification has significantly benefited my career as a software professional. There is still much to learn in this area, and I look forward to applying this knowledge to my projects. 

I’m also fortunate to have a mentor who has been instrumental in my professional growth. He consistently provides valuable feedback on how I can stay current as a software professional and demonstrates that technology professionals at GIC can advance beyond VP level.

What you should know before joining GIC

My advice to candidates looking to join GIC is rooted in principles I have always believed in: 

1. Be authentic. Demonstrates your capabilities during the interview process, and once you get the job, put that into action. 

2. Make yourself heard, question status-quo and always look for better ways of doing things.