Prof. Dr. Roger Loo: Global Business Strategy & Leadership

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo has spent more than three decades helping companies plan better and grow stronger. Today, he serves as the Executive Director at BDO Singapore, where he leads management consulting and strategy advisory. His work has guided many organizations through change, long-term planning, and new opportunities.

He is known for his clear way of thinking and structured problem-solving. Over the years, he has advised both large firms and family-owned businesses, helping them plan for the future and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Alongside his consulting work, Dr. Loo also teaches as an Adjunct MBA Lecturer at Curtin Singapore, where he shares practical knowledge with future managers and business leaders.

To set the stage for understanding his professional journey, here are key points about him:

• Over 30 years of leadership in management consulting.
• Executive Director at BDO Singapore, leading strategy advisory.
• Expert in strategic planning, problem-solving, and business growth.
• Strong background in advising family businesses on succession planning.
• Active in teaching and guiding MBA students at Curtin Singapore.

His career reflects a balance between guiding organizations today and preparing leaders for tomorrow.

Career Journey & Leadership Roles

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo’s career spans across Asia and the Middle East, where he has worked with businesses of different sizes and cultures. His journey shows how practical experience builds strong leadership.

He began his regional work with TradeWinds as a Regional Manager, where he managed markets in the Middle East and Greater China. This role gave him firsthand experience in cross-border trade and business growth.

Later, at IHS Jane’s, he served as Senior Regional Consultant for China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Here, he focused on business research and advisory, helping clients understand new market challenges.

He then joined The Asian Banker in Beijing and Shanghai as an Associate Director. His role connected him with the financial sector, where he advised on strategy and business models for banks and financial groups.

In 2008, Dr. Loo moved to BDO Singapore, where he now serves as Executive Director and Head of Management Consulting Services. For over 17 years, he has led teams in strategy planning, business transformation, and client advisory. His leadership continues to shape the firm’s consulting practice and guide clients through growth and change.

Key career highlights:

• TradeWinds (6 years) – Managed regional markets in the Middle East and Greater China.
• IHS Jane’s (2 years) – Advised clients across China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
• The Asian Banker (1.5 years) – Focused on financial strategy in Beijing and Shanghai.
• BDO Singapore (17+ years) – Leads management consulting and strategy advisory as Executive Director.

His career path shows a steady rise from regional roles to leading a top consulting practice in Singapore. Each role added skills that shaped his current leadership in strategy and consulting.

Expertise in Strategy, Transformation & Family Business Advisory

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo built his career around helping companies make clear plans and adapt to change. His work covers business strategy, growth planning, and guiding family-owned firms through leadership handovers.

At BDO Singapore, he advises clients on how to set goals, solve complex problems, and act on strategies that bring long-term results. He often works with leadership teams to make decisions that keep businesses moving forward.

Family businesses form a large part of his advisory work. Many of these companies face challenges when passing ownership to the next generation. Dr. Loo helps them manage this shift by creating structures for smooth succession and stronger governance. His advice protects both the family’s legacy and the company’s future.

He has also written on these topics, sharing ideas on corporate social responsibility (CSR), brand growth, and challenges unique to family firms. His articles give business leaders practical ways to handle issues they often face.

Key areas of expertise:

• Business strategy – Building clear and practical plans for growth.
• Organizational change – Helping companies adapt to new goals and directions.
• Family business succession – Guiding owners on leadership transfer and governance.
• Publications – Writing on CSR, brand building, and family business challenges.

His approach blends structured problem-solving with hands-on guidance, making complex business issues easier to manage.

Academic & Thought Leadership Contributions

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo combines his consulting experience with teaching, creating value for both professionals and students. His role as an Adjunct MBA Lecturer at Curtin Singapore allows him to share lessons from real business cases with future leaders. He bridges classroom learning with workplace practice, making knowledge easier to apply.

Beyond teaching, he contributes to thought leadership through research and writing. His published works cover topics such as family business challenges, brand growth, and the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in building trust. These writings give business owners and managers clear insights they can put into action.

His ability to work across cultures also strengthens his teaching and advisory work. With fluency in English and Mandarin, he connects with a wide group of learners and professionals across Asia.

Key contributions include:

• Teaching at Curtin Singapore – Guiding MBA students with practical lessons.
• Research and writing – Publishing articles on CSR, brand building, and family business issues.
• Bridging practice and learning – Bringing consulting experience into academic settings.
• Cross-cultural influence – Engaging both English and Mandarin-speaking communities.

Through these roles, Dr. Loo not only prepares students for leadership but also shares knowledge that supports ongoing conversations in business and management.

Honors, Certifications & Global Recognition

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo holds many certificates and honors. These show his skill and trust in his field. They also help people understand why he is respected worldwide.

Professional Certifications

Dr. Loo earned credentials from top schools and organisations. These add weight to his work. Some key certifications include:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organisational Leadership — Cornell University, USA 
• Postgraduate and executive programs in business, strategy, family enterprise, and sustainability — from places like Cambridge (UK), Harvard Business School, University of British Columbia, and Bond University
• Chartered Valuer & Appraiser (Singapore) — giving him skill in valuing businesses 
• Certified Management Accountant (Australia) — adds accounting credibility 
• Certified Performance Leadership Coach — shows his ability to guide leaders 
• Accredited Mediator — skill in resolving conflicts in businesses and families 

These certifications help Dr. Loo advise on strategy, finances, business value, leadership and family business transitions.

Honors & Recognition

Dr. Loo has earned some public honors and roles. These show how others see his work and impact.

• He serves as a Senior Practising Management Consultant under Singapore’s advisory council. 
• He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, Australia. 
• He is part of many professional associations:
    • Institute of Management Consultants Singapore 
    • Member, Institute of Consulting (UK) 
    • Member, Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, US 
    • Member, Family Business Australia 
• He is often invited as a judge or advisor in awards. For example, he judged the Asian Experience Awards 2025 
• He is visible in business media and events. His views appear in industry magazines and journals 

Why These Matter

• These certifications show Dr. Loo has both theory and practice.
• Honors and roles expand his reach and influence. They let others see him as a guide and authority.
• Through them, he builds trust with clients, students, and peers.
• They help open doors for speaking, teaching, and consulting globally.

Publications & Knowledge Sharing

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo believes that knowledge grows when it is shared. Through his writing and public work, he makes complex business ideas simple and useful for everyday practice. His focus is clear: help leaders and family businesses find practical ways to grow, stay strong, and plan for the future.

Key themes in his work:

• Building strong business values through social responsibility
• Guiding family businesses through real challenges
• Developing leadership skills for long-term growth
• Passing down business knowledge to the next generation

His published works include:

• Building Your Brand with CSR – explains how companies can grow by being socially responsible.
• A to Z of a Family Business – gives clear steps for running and improving family businesses.
• Best Person for the Job – focuses on fair hiring and leadership choices.
• Tips on Tackling Family Firms’ Challenges – offers solutions for common family business issues.
• Keeping the Flame Alive – talks about planning for smooth leadership changes in family firms.

How he shares his knowledge:

• Writes articles that turn business problems into easy steps people can apply.
• Gives talks and lectures to help young professionals build real-world skills.
• Shares case studies from his long career to show what works and what doesn’t.
• Uses simple language so readers from any background can understand his ideas.

Why this matters:

• Leaders and students get advice they can act on right away.
• Family businesses learn how to stay strong across generations.
• His work spreads useful strategies beyond boardrooms and classrooms.

Through his writing and teaching, Prof. Dr. Roger Loo makes knowledge practical. He focuses on clarity, action, and impact — so more people can lead with confidence and purpose.

Educational Achievements

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo’s education built a strong base for his long career in strategy and business advisory. Each stage of his studies added a new layer of knowledge that shaped his way of thinking, teaching, and leading.

Key academic milestones:

• Doctorate of Business Administration – Swiss School of Management (2021–2025)
  • Focus on marketing and business management.
  • Deepened his research skills and strategic thinking.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management (2018–2024)
  • Specialized in marketing and management.
  • Strengthened his global business perspective.
• Postgraduate Program – Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2018–2019)
  • Completed the Chartered Valuers and Assessors Programme.
  • Gained expertise in business valuation and assessment.
• Master’s Degree – Curtin University of Technology (2002–2004)
  • Studied International Marketing.
  • Built strong foundations in market analysis and planning.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Business – Edith Cowan University (1997–1998)
  • Focused on marketing and business practices.
  • Gained essential skills for working in diverse markets.

Why his academic journey matters:

• His global education gives him a wide view of business practices.
• He connects classroom learning with real business challenges.
• He applies theory in ways that create practical results for companies and students.

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo values learning as a lifelong process. His academic path shows his commitment to gaining knowledge and sharing it with others in clear and practical ways.

Impact & Legacy

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo’s work goes far beyond titles and positions. Over three decades, he has guided companies, advised family businesses, and shaped future leaders through his strategic thinking and teaching. His impact can be seen in the practical results he delivers and the people he inspires.

Key areas of impact:

• Strategic guidance for companies
  • Helped organizations plan clearly and act with focus.
  • Supported leadership teams in making better business decisions.
• Support for family businesses
  • Advised on leadership handovers and succession planning.
  • Shared simple methods to solve common family business issues.
  • Encouraged long-term planning to keep businesses strong across generations.
• Mentorship and education
  • Taught MBA students real business skills through his role as an adjunct lecturer.
  • Shared real case studies to bridge the gap between theory and daily business practice.
  • Inspired young professionals to think clearly and act with confidence.
• Knowledge sharing through writing
  • Reached a wide audience through articles and publications.
  • Turned complex topics into clear steps that anyone can understand and apply.

Lasting legacy:

• Many businesses still follow strategies he helped create.
• Family firms have smoother leadership changes because of his advice.
• Students and young leaders carry his lessons into their careers.
• His clear way of teaching continues to shape how people think about strategy and leadership.

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo’s legacy is built on action, clarity, and shared knowledge. His work shows that strong leadership and simple strategies can create long-term change in both businesses and people’s lives.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Roger Loo’s journey shows how clear thinking, practical action, and shared knowledge can shape businesses and people. His work connects strategy with real outcomes and learning with real growth. Over the years, he has guided companies, mentored students, and shared ideas that continue to make a difference.

Key takeaways from his journey:

• Long-term success comes from strong strategies and steady action.
• Family businesses grow stronger when they plan for leadership changes early.
• Simple methods, shared clearly, can help people solve complex problems.
• Teaching and writing extend impact far beyond one organization.

His career blends leadership, strategy, and education in a way that leaves lasting change. He continues to inspire others to think with clarity, lead with purpose, and share what they learn.