Melinda Chew
Singapore
Summary
Seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience in Finance and Accounting, specializing in the submarine cable/technology industry for 19 years. Proficient in financial reporting, technical accounting (IFRS/US GAAP), Shared Service Operations, FP&A, Financing and M&A, as well as Control and Governance. Thrives in challenging environments, navigating through 2 M&As, 3 debt financing, and leadership transitions with resilience and adaptability. Early career foundation in audit, including training at Arthur Andersen, has equipped with a strong technical background and self-motivated work ethic.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Controller
Lightstorm International Pte. LTD.
05.2025 - Current
- Company Overview: Lightstorm Group is backed by ISQUARED Capital, a private equity fund focused on global infrastructure investment. They bought over the debt of RTI (previous employer) and eventually purchased the cable assets of RTI.
- Financial reporting (monthly close and reporting, statutory and tax compliance)
- FP&A (weekly forecasting and business updates, revenue and cost reviews, annual budgeting)
- Finance operations (AR/AP, Cash management)
- I worked closely with the CEO of APAC, Group CFO and other senior members to manage the Subsea business and report back to Group CEO and I SQUARED Capital.
- I have strong knowledge of the subsea business and is the bridge to integrate the Subsea business into Lightstorm group.
- Lightstorm Group is backed by ISQUARED Capital, a private equity fund focused on global infrastructure investment. They bought over the debt of RTI (previous employer) and eventually purchased the cable assets of RTI.
Corporate Controller
RTI JGA Pte. LTD./RTI Connectivity pte. ltd.
08.2018 - 04.2025
- Company Overview: RTI owns and operates 3 submarine undersea cable systems, connecting Australia and Japan to the United States. It is a small group with less than 20 employees worldwide started by a CEO with a vision to make global connectivity simpler.
- Due to debt default, the Company went into Receivership and in the past 1.5 years, I am a key player in supporting the asset sale process and bringing the company aligned to new reporting requirements of the lender and new buyer (Lightstorm).
- Besides financial operations and reporting function, I have to step up for FP&A reporting to support weekly business review, monthly forecasting, and annual budgeting process.
- From supporting a start-up to handling full-fledge reporting function for a robust business division, I have expanded my role and gained tremendous exposure in a variety of functions.
- As the company went through various stages of business, including construction and financing phase, debt default and refinancing, to eventual asset sale, I remained adaptable, nimble and relevant to meeting the ever-changing demands.
- RTI owns and operates 3 submarine undersea cable systems, connecting Australia and Japan to the United States. It is a small group with less than 20 employees worldwide started by a CEO with a vision to make global connectivity simpler.
Finance Director/finance Operations Manager
Pacnet/Telstra
02.2006 - 07.2018
- Company Overview: Pacific Internet Group was originally listed on NASDAQ. My earlier years in Pacnet focused on reporting for a listed company, preparation of Board materials/earnings release, US GAAP, SOX compliance.
- I spent 12 years in Pacnet/Telstra, starting off as an Assistant Manager for Corporate Reporting in Pacific Internet Group, and worked my way up through 2 M&As, several rounds of debt financing and leadership/management changes and thrived under different roles and leaders.
- Key roles: Finance Operations Manager for Telstra, heading the Finance Shared Services (Singapore hub), reporting to Head of Global Shared Services.
- Oversee the transition of in-sourced accounting team to outsourced shared service team in India.
- Led my team to do knowledge transfer, set up monthly processes and KPIs, and managed HR issues due to downsizing.
- Awarded the Telstra Excelerate Award for outstanding contribution and performance.
- Finance Director and Controller for Pacnet, working directly with CFO, on financial reporting for Pacnet group, AP and Treasury and Tax at one point.
- Supported CFO on a loan facility, 2 bond issues and several due diligences.
- One of President Club’s winner for work done on the bond issue.
- Out-stationed to Thailand for a year in 2008 to head the finance team in Thailand subsidiary after formation of Pacnet to strengthen the local finance team and worked with local management to improve control and effectiveness.
- Pacific Internet Group was originally listed on NASDAQ. My earlier years in Pacnet focused on reporting for a listed company, preparation of Board materials/earnings release, US GAAP, SOX compliance.
GROUP ACCOUNTANT
Celestica
07.2002 - 02.2006
- As Group Accountant, I was part of Financial Reporting team handling Asia South and Plastics sub-group.
- Primary duties were consolidation of accounts for Asia South group, analytical review of monthly performance and assisting in forecasting and budgeting process.
- I also had to provide guidance and support to in-country teams (ASEAN, China, Mexico) on accounting policies and treatment.
AUDIT SENIOR
Arthur andersen
02.2000 - 06.2002
- My foundation years as a Professional in the Accounting and Finance field.
- I planned and performed risk-based audits as the main in-charge.
- I also prepared financial statements and consolidation for clients and had to manage clients and audit managers/partners.
- Ad-hoc projects include IPO and due diligence.
- Consistently received good feedback and high-performance ratings from Audit Managers.
AUDITOR
DAVID YEUNG & CO.
09.1998 - 02.2000
- This is where I started my career and these initial years helped me a lot in acquiring the correct audit attitude and approach, enabling me to pick up and grow very quickly when I joined Arthur Andersen.
Education
Bachelor of Accountancy -
NTU
01.1998
GCE ‘A’ Level -
Hwa Chong Junior College
01.1994
GCE ‘O’ Level -
River Valley High School
01.1992
Skills
- Collaborative team member
- Responsive to new challenges
- Team leadership
- Goal-oriented and self-directed
- Resilient in challenging situations
- Business professionalism
- Proficient in IFRS and US GAAP
- Effective communication
- Strong work ethic
- Financial statement analysis
- Budget management
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Chinese (Mandarin)
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Corporate Controller
Lightstorm International Pte. LTD.
05.2025 - Current
Corporate Controller
RTI JGA Pte. LTD./RTI Connectivity pte. ltd.
08.2018 - 04.2025
Finance Director/finance Operations Manager
Pacnet/Telstra
02.2006 - 07.2018
GROUP ACCOUNTANT
Celestica
07.2002 - 02.2006
AUDIT SENIOR
Arthur andersen
02.2000 - 06.2002
AUDITOR
DAVID YEUNG & CO.
09.1998 - 02.2000
Bachelor of Accountancy -
NTU
GCE ‘A’ Level -
Hwa Chong Junior College
GCE ‘O’ Level -
River Valley High School
Similar Profiles
Anoop ShrivastavAnoop Shrivastav
Client Director Sales - North at Lightstorm TelecomClient Director Sales - North at Lightstorm Telecom
Erick SosaErick Sosa
Freelance Creature Designer at Lightstorm Entertainment ( James Cameron)Freelance Creature Designer at Lightstorm Entertainment ( James Cameron)
Christy Xiaodan YangChristy Xiaodan Yang
Assistant Editor at Lightstorm EntertainmentAssistant Editor at Lightstorm Entertainment
John Jethro E. GanzonJohn Jethro E. Ganzon
Cloud Infrastructure Team Lead at AccentureCloud Infrastructure Team Lead at Accenture
Goolnora ArslanovaGoolnora Arslanova
KYC Analyst at Crédit Agricole CIBKYC Analyst at Crédit Agricole CIB