Ervin Ha

Business Leader | Strategy & Growth | Client Growth & Partnerships | Commercial Leadership | Market & Consumer Insights | New Business Development | APAC Leadership | Cross-Functional Leadership

Hi, I'm Ervin, a Strategic Business Leader with over 15 years of experience across Asia, driving business growth through insight-led strategy, commercial execution, and collaborative leadership.

Biography

I’ve consistently built and energized high-performing teams, leading cross-functional groups across functions and markets while managing full P&L responsibility. My leadership style is hands-on, people-first, and laser-focused on driving innovation, revenue growth, and operational efficiency.

By partnering with senior stakeholders, I translate complex market insights into targeted go-to-market strategies and sustainable growth plans. My work has delivered results—boosting market share, streamlining operations, and securing enterprise-level deals across diverse sectors.

Curious by nature, I thrive in dynamic, agile, customer-focused environments where data-driven decisions and cross-functional collaboration fuel bold ideas and transformative change.

Personal Info

Name: Ervin HaCitizenship: SingaporeanPhone: (+65) 8368 5015Email: [email protected]Location: SingaporeWeb: www.staticfree.io

Career Highlights

Scaled Growth

Drove NielsenIQ’s business to deliver 25% YoY growth for key accounts by aligning commercial strategy with client priorities and leading a high-performing team of 80+ professionals.

Post-Acquisition Integration

Led the integration at NielsenIQ by merging overlapping functions from an acquired business unit into the existing insights division, streamlining processes and achieving an 18% reduction in operating costs.

Cross-Industry Impact

Advised senior stakeholders and delivered strategic growth initiatives across diverse sectors—including FMCG, tech, financial services, and government—by rapidly ramping up in each to translate insights into tailored, actionable strategies.

Market Expansion

Established and expanded YouGov’s subscription-based offering across 13 APAC markets, driving a 30% increase in recurring revenue through targeted market strategies.

Revenue Transformation

Achieved 20x revenue growth at Rakuten Insights by launching and expanding commercial operations in Singapore and Malaysia, fueling strategic client acquisition.

Optimized Sales Performance

Delivered 15% YoY revenue growth at YouGov by securing six-figure contracts with top-tier clients and optimizing regional sales performance.

Operational Efficiency

Improved forecasting accuracy by 30% and reduced budget cycle time by 25% at NielsenIQ through operational process enhancements and a redesigned reporting approach.

Professional Experience

NielsenIQ

Singapore

Mar 2023 - Jan 2025

Executive Director, Consumer and Marketing Insights, Singapore

Oversaw NielsenIQ’s Consumer and Marketing Insights division in Singapore, leading a team of 80+ across commercial, delivery, and support functions. Held full financial accountability for a multi-million-dollar business, including revenue planning, margin optimization, and overall P&L responsibility. Accountable for client success, business growth, and aligning commercial strategies with enterprise priorities.

  • Spearheaded new client acquisition and reactivation efforts, generating multi-million dollar growth and expanding NielsenIQ’s footprint across untapped sectors.

  • Achieved 90% client retention through strategic account planning, deepened partnerships, and proactive contract renewals.

  • Built and led cross-functional teams to deliver customized, insight-led solutions for enterprise clients, contributing to measurable growth and long-term client success.

  • Drove cross-departmental collaboration to broaden client awareness of NielsenIQ’s full solution suite, increasing cross-line engagement and uncovering new revenue streams.

  • Introduced commercial process improvements that enhanced sales pipeline visibility and forecasting accuracy across the business.

  • Streamlined client servicing operations to accelerate delivery timelines and improve turnaround for insights reporting and data storytelling presentations.

YouGov

Singapore

Jul 2021 - Feb 2023

Head of Commercial APAC

Directed overall revenue growth across APAC, managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio and expanding YouGov’s market presence through strategic partnerships and new business acquisition. Led cross-functional teams across multiple markets, driving client relationship management, aligning Joint Business Plans with client priorities, and ensuring consistent senior-level engagement.

  • Led regional outreach strategies, driving client acquisition and significantly increasing solution adoption across APAC markets, contributing to sustained revenue growth.

  • Secured multi-million dollar partnerships with top-tier regional clients, aligning data-driven solutions with growth objectives and expanding YouGov’s regional presence.

  • Optimized CRM sales processes, boosting pipeline conversion rates by 20% through targeted data insights and streamlined workflows.

  • Led and developed a high-performing team of 15+ professionals, driving APAC growth through effective client acquisition strategies and fostering a culture of performance and accountability.

  • Drove cross-functional collaboration across marketing, product, and sales teams, aligning efforts with global growth priorities to enhance client engagement and accelerate market penetration.

YouGov

Singapore

Oct 2016 - Jun 2021

Head of Syndicated Data and Client Services APAC

Managed a multi-million dollar portfolio for YouGov’s syndicated data products across 13 APAC markets, leading a team of 15+ researchers across the region. Delivered actionable insights to clients, guiding them in understanding customer behavior, assessing brand performance, and developing growth strategies to enhance brand recognition and drive consumer engagement.

  • Led the strategic expansion of YouGov’s syndicated data services across 13 APAC markets, driving market penetration by aligning product offerings with local client needs and business objectives.

  • Drove 85% client retention by fostering strategic partnerships and delivering insights that directly contributed to client growth and long-term engagement.

  • Secured multi-year contracts with regional brands by aligning YouGov’s data-driven insights with their strategic goals, driving deeper partnerships and long-term growth.

  • Managed key accounts and delivered actionable, data-driven insights that optimized campaign performance and directly impacted clients’ marketing success.

YouGov

Singapore

Jun 2014 - Sep 2016

Director Business Development

Led new business development initiatives across multiple APAC markets, beginning with the successful establishment and growth of the Singapore office, before expanding into other regional markets. Drove market expansion, secured strategic partnerships, and optimized revenue growth from existing accounts.

  • Drove 10% YoY sales growth by creating and executing strategic business development plans that expanded the client base and generated incremental revenue across key APAC markets.

  • Secured YouGov’s first APAC syndicated subscription data sale within six months, opening up new revenue streams and expanding YouGov’s footprint in the region.

  • Led the expansion into nine new APAC markets by negotiating strategic partnerships and developing market entry strategies, significantly increasing YouGov’s regional presence and client acquisition.

Truth Consulting

Singapore

Mar 2013 - May 2014

Commercial & Research Partner

Led business development efforts and research initiatives across key APAC markets, delivering strategic insights to clients and strengthening relationships to drive sustained growth.

  • Delivered actionable insights through a path-to-purchase study, helping a key insurance client optimize marketing strategies and drive customer acquisition by mapping consumer decision journeys.

AIP corporation
(rakuten Insights global)

Singapore

Sep 2011 - Feb 2013

Client Development Director

Spearheaded new business acquisition and expansion efforts through proactive outreach and consultative selling, driving growth across key accounts and uncovering new opportunities in both new and existing markets.

  • Developed and executed business development strategies that resulted in significant revenue growth, improving market penetration and reinforcing Rakuten Insights' competitive positioning in APAC.

Idealog

Singapore

Jan 2009 - Jul 2011

Consumer Insights Manager

Led full-cycle research programs, delivering actionable insights and strategic recommendations to clients, with a focus on uncovering consumer motivations and behaviors to inform business decisions and product development.

  • Delivered a comprehensive study on consumption motivations and occasions for a leading QSR brand, informing their go-to-market strategy and guiding new product development to better align with consumer needs.

Notable Clients

QSR, FMCG & Retail

  • McDonald's

  • KFC

  • Pizza Hut

  • Burger King

  • Tim Hortons

  • P&G

  • J&J/ Kenvue

  • GSK/ Haleon

  • Coca Cola

  • Asia-Pacific Breweries

  • Fairprice

  • Lazada

  • Shopee

  • Zalora

  • Uniqlo

Financial services

  • DBS

  • POSB

  • OCBC

  • Standard Chartered

  • HSBC

  • Mastercard

  • Visa

  • AIA

  • Manulife

  • AIA

  • Income

  • Allianz

Technology

  • Google

  • Facebook

  • Amazon

  • LinkedIn

  • Dell

  • HP

  • Gojek

  • Uber

Agencies & Public

  • GroupM

  • IPG Mediabrands

  • Omnicomm Media Group

  • Publicis

  • Dentsu

  • Ministry of Communication

  • SportsSG

  • Prime Minsters Office

  • Singapore Tourism Board

  • Institute of Policy Study

  • Sentosa

  • Singapore Press Holdings

Leadership & Commercial Capabilities

People-First Leader Driving Team Excellence

Coaches and empowers teams with clear direction, accountability, and a focus on growth—creating a culture where people thrive and deliver results.

Trusted Partner to Senior Stakeholders

Builds trust-based relationships with clients, C-suite leaders, and cross-functional teams to co-create growth plans and drive organisational alignment.

Strategic Operator with Commercial Acumen

Balances long-term growth strategy with day-to-day execution, aligning commercial priorities with business outcomes to deliver measurable impact.

Revenue Driver with a Customer-Centric Lens

Identifies growth opportunities through insights, partnerships, and product-market fit, ensuring commercial strategies meet evolving client needs.

Innovator with a Bias for Action

Brings curiosity and agility to leadership—applying technology, insights, and experimentation to unlock opportunity and solve complex problems.

Financially Disciplined and Operationally Focused

Confident managing forecasts, budgets, and performance metrics while streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and margin.

Core Competencies

Executive & People Leadership

  • Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making

  • Team Leadership & Talent Development

  • Communication, Influence & Negotiation

  • Agile Project & Performance Management

  • Change Leadership & Organisational Agility

Business & Market Strategy

  • Consumer & Market Understanding

  • Insight Generation & Storytelling

  • Data-Driven Strategic Recommendations

  • Research Design & Segmentation

  • Trend Forecasting & Business Intelligence

Commercial Excellence & Expansion

  • Revenue Growth & Commercial Execution

  • Go-to-Market Planning

  • Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management

  • Contract Negotiation & Pricing Strategy

  • Partnership Development & Market Expansion

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education and Certifications

Sales Readiness Group (SRG),
a Part of SBI

High Impact Sales Manager Training

Gained practical tools and frameworks for leading high-performing sales teams, including coaching techniques, pipeline management, performance tracking, and forecasting. Developed stronger strategic planning skills, enhanced my ability to make data-driven decisions, and learned how to build a culture of accountability that drives scalable growth.

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Bachelors of Commerce (Information Systems)

Completed a comprehensive business education emphasizing leadership, entrepreneurship, and operations management. Developed skills in data analytics, strategic planning, and global business practices, preparing for leadership roles in dynamic environments.Graduated Cum Laude, President’s Hall of Academic Excellence, Dean’s List

Let’s talk about
how I can help your
business grow

I'm currently exploring new opportunities where I can bring my experience in strategic growth and client leadership to make an impact.If you're hiring or would like to discuss how I can contribute to your team, drop me a line and we can chat!You can also reach me via email at:

He's perfect. Hire him immediately.