A year into the pandemic, the world was grappling with a resurgence of COVID-19 in the winter of 2020, and international borders were closed. Yet this was the moment Dr. Katharina Sikora and her family chose to make their first big move overseas all the way from Bavaria in Germany to Singapore, to assume her new role as Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Mobility Singapore and Asia-Pacific. 

"I was very excited when the idea to move to Singapore and be part of the Asia-Pacific team first came up. For me, Singapore is the place to be, as it is one of the most eco-friendly cities in Asia with a clear focus on sustainability and innovation. The Asia-Pacific region itself is experiencing massive growth, has further expansion potential and is starting to lead the way in shaping global innovation. I didn’t want to miss out on a unique opportunity to learn from such a diverse region and be part of building something impactful and sustainable for the future," she said.

The Singapore Efficiency

Relocating in the midst of stringent restrictions was challenging but Katharina said the connectivity of Singapore eased the transition.

"Singapore is really digital, which was a major help. You can get almost everything you need - food, transport, shopping - with just a few taps on the right app. For example, the Singpass app made it easy to get information like our new tax and permit numbers, which we needed when accessing banking or government facilities. This saved us the hassle of bringing along various documents, and the need to remember different numbers and dates associated with our new residency status in Singapore."

Katharina is also a ONE Pass holder. Launched in January 2023, the five-year ONE Pass offers top global talent greater flexibility to work in multiple companies at the same time and provides spousal privileges.

She said “the sense of welcome that ONE Pass provides has been invaluable to me and my family. ONE Pass grants a five-year work permit, which provides stability and certainty for me and my family. There is also flexibility to allow me to explore guest lecturing at universities, something I did extensively in Germany.”

The flexibility that ONE Pass offers is extended to spouses. ONE Pass provides spousal benefits so spouses can be eligible for employment through a Letter of Consent, without the need for a separate work pass. This makes the move easier for those who are relocating to Singapore with their loved ones.

Singapore, gateway to opportunities

Singapore presents a unique opportunity for Katharina, both professionally and personally.

“Singapore is Siemens Mobility’s APAC hub. The stable economy is advantageous for us, especially when most of our projects are long-term contracts. The nation’s strategic regional location allows me to work with a team of highly-skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds which fosters a culture of innovation and new ideas. We are also building larger teams comprising local talent to support the company,” she explained.

The diversity of the region has also shaped her leadership style. “I have gained a deeper understanding into the different cultural nuances, which helped me to adapt my leadership approach to suit different working styles across Asia,” she said. 

In Singapore, Katharina has been able to pursue her passion for sustainability through her work with Siemens Mobility. The company is a leading provider for transport solutions and helps with its digitalised rail solutions to improve the cost-effectiveness of Singapore’s future train lines while reducing energy consumption through intelligent rail infrastructure systems and optimised fleet management. When fully operational, the Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line could potentially reduce emissions, which is equivalent to taking 22,000 cars off Singapore's road.

Family life in a tropical paradise

As a mother of two young children, aged 6 and 9 respectively, Katharina also appreciates the safe and nurturing environment here. “I was very impressed with how child-friendly Singapore is. There are playgrounds and attractions like the ArtScience Museum and the Singapore Zoo scattered throughout the city. Singapore has a high-quality education system with the locals but also many international schools. My husband is a chef and we love the food culture here. Living here has allowed us to learn a lot about the different cultures and explore all kinds of cuisines.”

Katharina’s involvement with the Lions Club Singapore has also helped her better assimilate. “I’ve been an active member of the Lions Club for 14 years, and a Singaporean friend introduced me to the local chapter here. My husband and I have participated in various volunteer activities such as a bake sale for National Day, and helping with food collection for charity at the wholesale market.” The avid volunteer believes that this is an excellent way to interact with the local community and learn about their way of life.

When asked for her advice to others thinking about making the move to Singapore, Dr. Sikora has this to say: “Embrace the opportunity - Singapore makes it easy for newcomers to settle in. Enjoy the unique hawker centre culture with all kinds of cuisines - one of my favourite foods is xiao long bao, which are dumplings filled with a delicious soup. Last but not least, the public transportation system is outstanding, efficient, on time and very comfortable and clean so you don’t need a car. It is for sure the best way to explore the city.”