Desmond Sim’s journey from the football pitch to the boardroom is fraught with challenges, but his perseverance led him to be the Chief Operations Officer of Evergreen Group Holdings today.
Hi Desmond, let’s start with something more casual. What are some of your interests or hobbies?
I enjoy doing sports, especially soccer. I was blown away and aspired to be a professional soccer player when my dad and aunt brought me to watch the Malaysia Cup when I was just four. This dream of mine has kind of come to pass. But with a very short shelf life to it due to my injuries. More recently, I took part in the 2022 white-collar boxing show, held at Marquee, which is quite a crazy move.
Given that I was just introduced to this combat sport five weeks prior to the contest. Many of my friends and even my personal coach label me as a crazy gutsy guy. But I got to say I do enjoy this new combat sport.
Growing up, who were some of your childhood heroes?
From a soccer point of view, it would be Fandi Ahmad; he’s a very humble national hero. As I grew up, there were more people I looked up to. One being our late leader Lee Kuan Yew. He’s a good role model in how he led Singapore and his life. I think he was a phenomenal person. I recently attended the LKY Musical and was even more intrigued after. On a personal level, I look up to my mother. She played a very important role in my life when I was going through depression in my early 20s. She is always there for me unconditionally. Believing in me when no one else does. She never once doubted me and was always there to support me, even when I was at my lowest.
If you could have a meal with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
It would be great if I could have a meal with Lee Kuan Yew while he was in his prime and when he was older. As I think he is a very wise man. There is so much I can learn from just speaking to him. Another person who I would really love to have a meal with, it is not too long back [Laughs], will be Jesus Himself.
If you could only eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wow, do I have to take my health into consideration? [Laughs] It’s tough. I can’t even eat the same things for two consecutive days. I love local hawker food. Char kway teow, mee pok, prawn mee, carrot cake and the list goes on. But they are all very unhealthy and oily. So I do eat them in moderation.
Tell us a little more about Evergreen Group Holdings.
Evergreen Group started in early 1990 as a timber processing and trading company. Due to changes in certain regulations, we started to diversify in 2000. David Yong, my business partner and the current CEO, is heading it. We have been good friends for many years now, and how we met is pretty dramatic.
I joined in 2017; my background is in capital markets and business development. When David took over his family business, he offered me to join him. Today the group has grown into a sizeable company. We have stakes in real estate, lifestyle, automotive and financing. Recently we have been featured in Forbes (US), which is a huge recognition and milestone for any company. Our Mid Term Vision is to become a bank in the Indo-China region.
You are the chief operations officer of Evergreen Group Holdings. What is a typical day like for you?
I usually start my day with a run or some workout. If I can’t make it for whatever reason, I’ll make it up when my day ends. My day typically starts in the office, having to attend meetings. My schedule is usually planned out the week before, so I have visibility on what to expect. I wouldn’t say it’s boring, but it’s a routine. I don’t fly as often as I used to; I handle mainly the Singapore market while my partners cover the other regions. I’d visit Cambodia and Malaysia every once in a while, but I’m primarily based here.
What is a big misconception you face about your job?
Money comes by easy? The things behind the scenes are hard for others to understand or comprehend. This includes stress and pressure. People often look at the facade and think that it’s easy, which it isn’t at all.
You are 35 this year. How do you deal with the pressure of being in a high position at a relatively young age?
The higher the position, the bigger the amount of responsibility. It’s pressurising, especially when the group is so diverse. I think the key is identifying the right leaders in a company because no company can operate as a one-man show. Companies are successful because of the people. People make a company successful and not vice versa. I feel that a lot of people have this wrong perception that a company makes people successful. There are a lot of challenges in the business world, and you need people to be united in both good and bad times for a company to progress well.
You were a professional footballer during your younger days. What made you trade the football pitch for the boardroom?
I didn’t have a choice, to be honest. I broke my leg and had five surgeries on my right knee. This excludes the other injuries all over my body. A price of a sportsman, I guess. I recalled very clearly what the doctors and specialists told me, saying I couldn’t ever play (football) professionally and competitively. They also added that I couldn’t even be involved in vigorous sports subsequently. I was only 21 then, and it hit me badly. I was very disheartened and heartbroken because (football) was my everything back then. I was lost and eventually slipped into quite a bad state of depression.
Looking back, what were some lessons or experiences you gained that shaped who you are today?
The challenges and failures were the things that shaped me into who I am today. I always feel, and I do share with some of my colleagues, that only one group of people will not face challenges — and they are the dead. The higher you climb, the more challenges you’ll face. We have to learn from them, and I believe every challenge or problem can be solved. It’s all about perspective. A problem or challenge is never too big unless you are smaller than it. So long we give our best in everything we do. I think that’s the most important. In fact, I have a personal quote which I love to share with my colleagues. “If you can’t control things which you can control, then you can never react/control to things which are not within your control”. And that’s why I believe sports is one very good way to keep one’s discipline and have the right mindset.
If you could send a word of encouragement to your younger self, what would it be?
Persevere. Even right now, when navigating (personal or work) challenges, I always relate to when I was in that state of depression. I’d ask myself: if it’s worse than that period? If it’s not, then move ahead. Back then, I came from a Methodist school and didn’t believe much in religion. But I challenged God, and he lifted me up spiritually and emotionally and pushed me further. There were some bible verses which helped me through those dark and difficult times. If you’d ask me for a word of encouragement, I’d say: Have Faith. There are good plans for you.
Lastly, what is one piece of advice you hold close to your heart?
Never give up. I believe that no matter what kind of challenges or pressures you face, embrace them. Always be hopeful because faith and fear are both similar. They are emotions for things that have yet to happen. So why don’t you choose the positive side of things?
Photography Cher Him
Styling Manfred Lu
Grooming Sha Shamsi
Hair Aung Keng
Once you’re done with this interview with Desmond Sim, click here to catch up with our December/January 2023 issue!
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