SINGAPORE — Temasek MD of corporate affairs and Australia/New Zealand Stephen Forshaw will be honoured with the Individual Achievement SABRE Award in Singapore on September 11, at the eighth edition of the Asia-Pacific SABRE Awards.

Forshaw joined the Singapore-based investment company in 2011 to lead public affairs, and has since become one of a rare breed of corporate communicators to have added operational leadership duties, as MD of Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to Temasek, Forshaw was senior corporate communications director for Microsoft Asia-Pacific, following nine years with Singapore Airlines, at which he rose to become VP of public affairs. Forshaw first made his name as a political communicator in Australia, serving as chief of staff to the deputy chief minister in the Government of the Australian Capital Territory.

Along the way, Forshaw has become a prominent industry voice, particularly on issues such as ethics, professional development and policymaking.

"Stephen is one of the few senior communications professionals that has the breadth of global geopolitical knowledge, interspersed with economic policies and communications implications," said Temasek public affairs director Lena Goh, who previously worked with Forshaw at Microsoft. Being able to read global and local situations has allowed him to preempt and counsel senior stakeholders and partners in critical situations.

"Understanding the speed intricacies of newsflow in this social age and having strong global media relationships has also allowed Stephen to steer our communication strategies in the right manner," added Goh. "His patience and humility in mentoring junior associates and partners also demonstrates his all-rounded professionalism and commitment both inside and outside the organisation."

Peter Tomasch, Singapore Airlines regional PR manager for Europe, added that Forshaw "has a very good sense of the appropriate as corporate communicator and leader."

"You need to combine a good IQ with an extraordinary EQ in order to achieve great results in the field of communication," said Tomasch. "Stephen combines the two in an ideal combination. He is also politically very firm and has a perfect sense evaluating opportunities or staying away from traps. His network capabilities are also outstanding, another key asset for a perfect communicator."