Consumer Staples Author：EqualOcean News Nov 18, 2024 01:46 PM (GMT+8)

By Philip Elijah, November 14, 2024. The Access Group, a leading UK-based business management software provider with £480 million in revenue in 2023, officially inaugurated its Global Operations Centre (GOC) in Kuala Lumpur on November 11. This new hub is a cornerstone of the company’s Asia-Pacific (APAC) expansion strategy, complementing existing innovation centres in Loughborough, UK, and Timisoara, Romania. It will focus on product engineering, customer success, and operat

Chris Bayne, CEO, Access Group.

Currently employing 417 people, the GOC is set to generate over 1,000 high-value jobs by 2027. CEO Chris Bayne praised Kuala Lumpur for its skilled workforce and robust infrastructure, saying, "Our new centre will not only drive APAC growth but also provide an inspiring workplace for our team."

The GOC is part of Access Group’s growth in Malaysia, where it first established a presence in 2018 through acquisitions of Sage PLC’s Malaysian businesses, iCare, and Volcanic. The company relocated to The Exchange 106 in Kuala Lumpur’s financial district in 2022, achieving a 215% workforce growth by October 2024. The group's expansion aligns with Malaysia's goal of creating 500,000 high-value digital jobs by 2025.

Investing in Talent Development

The KL GOC focuses on hiring and training highly skilled professionals in software development and related fields. COO Terry Taylor emphasized the company’s dedication to structured learning, explaining, "We recruit well-educated talent and teach them how the software business operates—from development to digital transformation."

Taylor noted Access Group’s commitment to fostering career growth through tailored learning paths, with roles available in support, development, customer success, and sales. "Our aim is to help employees progress at their own pace, and we hope to see some of them launch their own ventures, enhancing Malaysia’s tech ecosystem."

Strong Local Support

The GOC’s launch was officiated by key Malaysian leaders, including Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Liew Chin Tong and Minister of Federal Territories Dr. Zaliha Mustafa. Both highlighted Kuala Lumpur’s appeal as an innovation hub.

InvestKL CEO Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli shared that the agency played a key role in facilitating the Access Group’s expansion, supporting regulatory processes, local partnerships, and talent acquisition.

Social Responsibility and Employee Ownership

Beyond job creation, Access Group prioritizes social impact. Through its Access Foundation, the company partners with local charities, such as SUKA Society, to support children’s rights. Additionally, Access introduced a global staff share scheme, enabling employees—including those in Malaysia—to hold shares in the company, fostering a culture of shared success and ownership.