Upma Arora Email & Phone Number

Singapore

• Led the AD Stretch accelerator initiative, transforming it into a comprehensive companywide innovation program.• Collaborated with business units and global strategy teams to identify and cultivate external partnerships.• Oversaw the selection of innovative startups to drive Avery Dennison's strategic goals.

Singapore

In this role, I will be working with the Strategic Innovation Platform team to deliver a world-class global accelerator programme and drive various other innovation programmes to build a strong collaborative Avery Dennison ecosystem where our business units connect with startups, clients and various other partners to create impactful and sustainable solutions.

Singapore

Women in Agribusiness (WOMAG) is a professional network championing inclusion in Asia's food and agriculture sector. As a Board Member, I am responsible for overseeing WOMAG’s relationships with its community, including startups, partners, sponsors and members as well as WOMAG’s diversity and inclusion commitments.

Singapore

Padang & Co (padang.co) is an innovation catalyst for corporates and government. My role is to create communities of interest, through thought leadership content and forge partnerships between corporates and startups (currently working with over 100 startups members across the region) to design and develop new products to address existing business challenges. I also look after the overall strategy and operations of four innovation hubs co-created by Padang & Co ensuring the lifecycle of the… Show more Padang & Co (padang.co) is an innovation catalyst for corporates and government. My role is to create communities of interest, through thought leadership content and forge partnerships between corporates and startups (currently working with over 100 startups members across the region) to design and develop new products to address existing business challenges. I also look after the overall strategy and operations of four innovation hubs co-created by Padang & Co ensuring the lifecycle of the initiatives are managed appropriately. I also manage and build relationships with corporate partners (Unilever, Cargill, Syngenta, WPP, Deloitte & Microsoft), startups, government agencies like ESG, EDB, Skills Futures, and other ecosystem partners like Universities, VCs etc to drive innovation through collaboration. Show less

London, United Kingdom

Built & conceptualised Dhaba Lane, a modern high tech food concept to introduce healthy Indian food to London office goers. Scaled it from a home-based kitchen to a running organisation.-Drove growth by using digital solutions to build lean operation processes. Implemented a culture of working with external stakeholders to identify improvements in shared business processes to achieve quality improvement & increasing customer satisfaction. -Generated 60% of the revenue via Corporate… Show more Built & conceptualised Dhaba Lane, a modern high tech food concept to introduce healthy Indian food to London office goers. Scaled it from a home-based kitchen to a running organisation.-Drove growth by using digital solutions to build lean operation processes. Implemented a culture of working with external stakeholders to identify improvements in shared business processes to achieve quality improvement & increasing customer satisfaction. -Generated 60% of the revenue via Corporate team orders by building strong relationships with various companies like Uber, Facebook, Google, Moo, Central Working various co-working spaces, startups, accelerators etc. Constructed partnerships with UberEats, Deliveroo, Hungry House, Just Eat & other partners & vendors to grow the business.-Achieved the highest Government Rating (5 star) for compliance, health & safety measures. Our guidelines were used by the government as a template for other Asian businesses due to its cultural sensitivity in training processes.-Impacted the community positively by leading initiatives to integrate people from troubled backgrounds (ex-convicts, school dropouts) into the workforce, partnering with local businesses to distribute excess food to charities and reduce landfill by composting.-Developed an organic omnichannel strategy to facilitate an intimate customer experience.-Developed custom targeting, innovative & interactive promotions to build a personal connection with the brand achieving a 94% customer satisfaction rating.-Built a strong PR strategy to change the perception of Indian food resulting in us being featured as top 10 food delivery services in London by Harper Bazaar. Also featured in the BBC, Guardian, & NDTV (top Indian channel) & others.-Selected to Partner with the iconic Southbank Centre and Mayor of London Office to showcase our category. Show less

London, United Kingdom

Over 8 years I developed a strong understanding of program & project management, business development and process optimisation by working full time in progressive roles with three different schools and grew from a project assistant to manager (promoted thrice).- Set up over 8 student startups and spin-offs under the REACH Business Development Centre incubator like Film Production, Translation and Design consultancy.- Managed a team of 25 to for internal and external partners… Show more Over 8 years I developed a strong understanding of program & project management, business development and process optimisation by working full time in progressive roles with three different schools and grew from a project assistant to manager (promoted thrice).- Set up over 8 student startups and spin-offs under the REACH Business Development Centre incubator like Film Production, Translation and Design consultancy.- Managed a team of 25 to for internal and external partners including administering the Business Development Fund to program manage & deliver EU funded projects up to GBP 500K.- Automate various HR, finance & other operational processes to reduce staff cost by 20% & increase efficiency by 30% across the university by creating and tracking cost metrics effectively. Show less

London, United Kingdom

Managed a team of volunteers for the Handball Sports Info Team. This was the most successful Olympics and I had the opportunity to be part of the operations team at the Athlete village to handle international athletes stay, visitors and scheduling/logistics processes for the Olympic teams from all over the world.

London, United Kingdom

Developed the idea of Freedom Run, a 5 km charity run event which raised funds to support ActionAid projects to provide shelter for street children in India. Over two years an amount of £29000 was raised. I also obtained corporate sponsorship from Essar Group Plc and Clifford Chance LLP (a leading UK law firm)

London, United Kingdom

Conducted research for a report on the effects of aggressive tourism development in tsunami-hit countries by large companies and its threatening impact on the land and livelihood rights of the local communities.

Master'S Degree, Media And Communications Management

Ba (Hons), History

Education record