Portfolio Forecast 2025: What's In A Word, Part 1

MARTIN LOW
Managing Director, Hansgrohe

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Purpose

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
For the Sanitary industry in 2025, I foresee the regional markets in Southeast Asia to be still in a state of growth, powered by a strong post-pandemic recovery in the hospitality and residential sectors. In a business environment focused on growth, having a sense of purpose can significantly enhance both individual and organizational performance. 

My dedication to managing multiple projects that align with personal values and the organization’s mission drives a deeper engagement with my work. In a growth-focused business environment, employees who actively seek to make a meaningful difference enable innovation, efficiency, and improved productivity. This commitment helps the organization set and achieve ambitious goals, which is essential for sustained growth. Overall, integrating a sense of purpose into a business environment fosters a culture where employees are motivated and aligned with the organization's vision. This alignment encourages innovation, enhances employee satisfaction, and builds strong external relationships, all of which are essential components for driving growth in today’s competitive landscape.

SHION WATANABE
Marketing Director, DM Interior Design

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Exclusivity

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
The new generation of consumers has an elevated sense of lifestyle needs and spending habits. The market will cater to this by eliminating the weaker tiers and rebranding those in the mid sectors. It is survival of the fittest and that is a good thing. It motivates people to go higher and do better, promoting positive market cycles. What this translates into, for luxury interior design, is a heightened sense of creativity and artistry.

Clients want bespoke elements and one-of-a-kind designs – not just luxurious, but distinctly unique. People are now more resourceful, goal-orientated, and aware, and are more than willing to pay for what they deem as special and worthwhile.

COREY KOH
Singer/Musician

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Evolution

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
I hope that local artists become more integral to everyday life in 2025, with live music being a staple at everything from cafés to community events, and local artists on the radio. It's less about massive breakthroughs and more about embedding music into the fabric of daily life.

Every artist has their own journey, and as someone who’s navigated from classical to pop, I know how powerful it is when people connect to your story through your music. Singapore’s music industry is rich with untold stories, and as we share more of them authentically, we’ll build deeper connections with listeners who see themselves in our work.

HARRY APOSTOLIDES
Co-founder and Group CEO, CÉ LA VI

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Philotimo (φιλότιμο) – a Greek word encompassing honor, integrity, pride, and selfless respect for others

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
I believe that experiential dining, like that offered at CÉ LA VI, will be key to standing out, as consumers increasingly seek memorable, multi-sensory dining experiences.  Restaurants that invest in unique décor, innovative presentations, and service excellence will have an edge, though they must balance these enhancements against cost pressures.  Despite these challenges, Singapore’s F&B industry in 2025 has the potential to thrive and flourish. Community and collaboration will be important as will adaptability; leveraging creativity and technology to meet evolving consumer expectations in a competitive environment.

The Greek concept of "philotimo," encompassing a deep sense of duty, honor, and pride in helping others, can be a guiding principle for those in Singapore's F&B industry as we navigate challenges. Embracing philotimo fosters a supportive, respectful workplace culture, motivating staff to go above and beyond for both colleagues and guests, alleviating labor shortages and boost morale. Philotimo-driven service can set establishments apart in a competitive market, creating loyal customer relationships rooted in genuine hospitality.  

DR MARTIN BÉM
Founder, LeVeL33

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Creativity

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
The end of 2024 is very challenging for Singapore’s F&B industry. Customers go out less, corporate budgets are shrinking, people travel more, and the still practised working-from-home system drives traffic in office locations down. In addition, expenses are increasing on all fronts. I do not foresee this situation to change in 2025 – it may even get worse.

By creating experiences outside the norm, as well as outstanding value for money, this environment becomes an opportunity. That should not necessarily mean to cheapen the offer, but to provide new and exciting add-on-value for customers (and staff!). With our sustainability approach, we try to creatively design an offer with additional purpose: Intriguing and new offers that are enhancing the overall experience and do not diminish it, what most people associate with sustainable businesses. I believe we operators need to create personal experiences that invite guests to patronise our restaurants and talk about it. We have no choice but to evolve from “same old” practices and promotions. We need additional experience and telling a captivating story.

ZI YONG HO
Senior International Specialist, Watches, Phillips

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Grit

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
For the watch industry, a positive forecast for 2025 could be the emergence of innovative and enduring timepieces that resonate deeply with consumers. This aligns well with the word "grit," which symbolizes passion, perseverance, and resilience in the face of challenges ahead. To make this prediction a reality, the titans of the watch industry must embody these qualities and apply them for good across the board.

By applying grit, manufacturers and watchmakers can push boundaries and experiment with new materials and designs to create timepieces that not only meet, but exceed the evolving needs and desires of their core clientele. This unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and innovation can lead to the development of iconic watches that can stand the test of time.

Lastly, brands that successfully blend tradition with innovation will thrive; by continuing to understand their customers' preferences and aspirations, manufacturers can tailor their creations to align closely with market demands, ensuring that each model produced carries inherent value and market significance. Through passion, resilience, and a deep understanding of consumer needs, the watch industry can bring forth a new era of enduring and sought-after timepieces in 2025 and beyond.

RICHARD KOH
Founder and Gallerist, Richard Koh Fine Art

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Perseverance

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
For 2025, I foresee an encouraging shift within the art industry, and a surge in younger voices leading the way and making its presence felt. This new generation will bring a fresh perspective, challenging established norms and creating spaces where diverse, global narratives are celebrated. As the industry evolves, perseverance will be essential in realising these ambitions. It is not simply about determination, it’s about sustaining the courage to rethink and restart.

New creators, curators, and collectors will emerge, to address artistic and societal shifts. They will redefine the industry with resilience and tenacity, driving towards a more inclusive and innovative future. A restart is already underway, but it is through perseverance that meaningful progress and changes will be made, grounding bold ideas in real change and ensuring that the art world moves forward thoughtfully, purposefully, and with a renewed vigour.

WENG XIAOYU
Artistic Director, Tanoto Art Foundation

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Curiosity

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
The global art market has entered a process of self-regulation and equilibrium. Instead of following market trends, the current climate requires art institutions and serious collectors to cultivate independent judgment, and to spend more effort researching and learning about the development of art in order to build meaningful and historically significant collections. On the other hand, we continue to witness the ongoing process among international art communities as they deconstruct the artistic canon, and re-write modern and contemporary art history that have been largely shaped by Western institutions.

Different sectors of the art world will need to collaborate more closely to facilitate artistic innovation and energize cultural exchange. The foundation of creating successful collaborations is curiosity. It is a quality that necessitates open-mindedness, humility, and generosity. I look forward to seeing more and more curious minds catalyse positive change in our society through art. 

CEDRIC JACCARD
Founder & Principal Design Director, Avalon Collective

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Intangible

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
In 2025, the hospitality industry will place greater emphasis on intangibles – those subtle, non-physical elements that shape guests’ perceptions and elevate their overall experience. Today’s travelers are seeking more than just comfort; they desire environments that feel meaningful and leave a lasting impression. Intangibles in hospitality interiors influence how guests emotionally connect with a space, creating atmospheres that stay with them long after their stay.

These intangibles include ambiance, comfort, and cultural authenticity – qualities that define how a space feels beyond its visual elements. In luxury hotels, they work together to create a sense of tranquility or exclusivity. Ambiance, which encompasses lighting, sound, and scent, shapes the atmosphere, whether cozy, elegant, or calming. Comfort and a welcoming environment ensure guests feel valued and at ease, while cultural authenticity incorporates local traditions, interactions, and tone of voice, deepening the connection to the destination. Intangibles extend beyond aesthetics, infusing a space with emotional depth and character. By thoughtfully shaping these elements, designers can turn a space into an immersive, enriching experience that deeply resonates with guests.

HENRY YEW
Deputy Managing Director, Index Design Pte Ltd

Share one word that resonates and holds a special meaning for you.
Faith

What positive industry forecast do you foresee for 2025 and how does this word help in turning that prediction into a reality?
As we look toward 2025, there is a renewed faith in the resilience and growth of both the property market and the interior design industry. With buyer confidence on the rise, the demand for thoughtfully designed spaces is expected to flourish. Sustainability and functionality continue to drive property design, with a strong emphasis on flexible layouts, smart home technology, and eco-friendly materials. Buyers are more discerning, seeking homes and workplaces that align with their lifestyle and values, creating exciting opportunities for innovative interior design.

Interior designers are set to play a pivotal role in crafting spaces that respond to these evolving needs. With green building incentives and a focus on wellness-centered environments, designers will have the opportunity to implement biophilic elements, enhance natural light, and incorporate energy-efficient features, enriching the occupant experience. Faith in the industry’s future is also bolstered by an increasing alignment between developers and designers to create properties that go beyond aesthetics, offering functionality, sustainability, and emotional appeal.