Irfan Ismail
Singapore, SG
Summary
Dynamic and visionary APAC sales executive with close to 20 years of experience driving hyper-growth in cloud communications, SaaS, and enterprise technology. Proven track record leading high-performing regional teams across Asia Pacific, delivering exceptional revenue outcomes, scalable go-to-market strategies, and sustainable growth. Adept at building successful sales teams from the ground up, forging C-level partnerships, and executing data-driven decisions aligned to global business objectives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional VP, South Asia & APAC ISV Sales
Twilio
01.2025 - Current
- Lead South Asia and APAC ISV sales teams overseeing ~$130M annual revenue across Rest of Asia, ANZ, Japan, and India.
- Architect and execute regional go-to-market strategies aligned with global business objectives, driving sustained double-digit growth.
- Recruit, develop, and empower high-performing sales leaders and teams, instilling a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence.
- Establish and deepen strategic customer partnerships unlocking new revenue streams and market opportunities.
- Oversee rigorous forecasting, pipeline management, and business reviews, consistently surpassing sales, GP, and customer success targets.
- Foster seamless cross-functional collaboration across marketing, product, finance, and customer success to deliver differentiated solutions and maximize customer value.
Regional Vice President, APJ ISV Sales
Twilio
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Lead ISV sales team across Asia-Pacific, including Rest of Asia, ANZ & Japan.
- Reporting to the Global Head of ISV Sales.
- Responsible for revenue, GP and new business for the region.
Director, APJ ISV Sales
Twilio
04.2023 - 02.2024
- Built and led new ISV business unit for APJ region.
- Developed GTM strategy and sales playbook.
- Achieved strong revenue and GP outcomes.
Head of Messaging Exchange Sales, APJ
Twilio
08.2020 - 03.2023
- Delivered 256% of US$30.3M revenue target in 2021.
- Built team across North Asia, Japan, SEA and ANZ.
- Led GTM planning, account development, cross-functional execution.
Co-Founder
The BAO Company
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Developed social enterprise platform to support home-based businesses.
- Achieved >$7k revenue in launch month & top 20 in iOS app rankings.
Head of Sales
Hello Technology Pte Ltd
Singapore
04.2018 - 08.2020
- Responsible for top-line and bottom-line growth to the CEO.
- Oversaw direct sales, client servicing, and wholesale teams.
- Doubled wholesale revenue and acquired 11 new logos within 12 months.
- Attained company’s record high revenue of >US$20M in FY2019.
Sales Director, South East Asia
Syniverse Technologies Inc
Singapore
05.2017 - 04.2018
- Focused on new enterprise acquisition and growing existing clients in SEA.
- Achieved 130% YoY revenue growth for key account.
Global Account Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
10.2015 - 04.2017
- Managed FSI customers with focus on ICT, cloud, voice and data services.
- Awarded over $3M in total contract value and achieved >100% FY15/16 sales target.
Sales Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
02.2013 - 09.2015
- Sold EMMS and Voice Solutions across BFSI sector, managing ~30 accounts.
- Awarded Club 100 and spot award for customer service excellence.
Account Manager
Ingram Micro Asia Limited
07.2012 - 01.2013
- Managed local telco partners, winning tenders worth up to $1M in revenue.
Account Manager
M1 Limited
04.2011 - 06.2012
- Oversaw accounts across government agencies; consistently exceeded sales targets.
Account Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
04.2008 - 03.2011
- Handled ~200 accounts including government bodies and MNCs.
- Secured key partnerships such as National Taxi Association; exceeded 100% FY sales.
Retail Consultant
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
09.2006 - 03.2008
- Frontline role exceeding 150% of monthly sales targets; promoted internally.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Finance
University College Dublin
SingaporeDiploma - Banking and Financial Services
Singapore Polytechnic
SingaporeSkills
- People Management
- Business Development
- Sales Strategy
- SaaS
- CPaaS
- Enterprise Sales
- ISV
- Team Leadership
- Revenue Management
- Strategic Planning
Timeline
Regional VP, South Asia & APAC ISV Sales
Twilio
01.2025 - Current
Regional Vice President, APJ ISV Sales
Twilio
03.2024 - 12.2024
Director, APJ ISV Sales
Twilio
04.2023 - 02.2024
Head of Messaging Exchange Sales, APJ
Twilio
08.2020 - 03.2023
Co-Founder
The BAO Company
01.2020 - 12.2021
Head of Sales
Hello Technology Pte Ltd
04.2018 - 08.2020
Sales Director, South East Asia
Syniverse Technologies Inc
05.2017 - 04.2018
Global Account Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
10.2015 - 04.2017
Sales Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
02.2013 - 09.2015
Account Manager
Ingram Micro Asia Limited
07.2012 - 01.2013
Account Manager
M1 Limited
04.2011 - 06.2012
Account Manager
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
04.2008 - 03.2011
Retail Consultant
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
09.2006 - 03.2008
BSc (Hons) - Finance
University College Dublin
Diploma - Banking and Financial Services
Singapore Polytechnic