Interview Series: Eugene Tan, Cast Unity

Eugene Tan is the Director at Cast Unity Pte. Ltd., a company providing quality accounting and corporate services to SMEs and individuals in Singapore since 2016.

"We are now sourcing companies that have outgrown their existing service providers and are seeking a new provider to support their next level of growth and compliance. Maintaining retention is all about constant engagement."

1. As 2025 is coming to a close, what are your views on the SME market and the support needed for them to perform better in the next 3-6 months?

The SME market is uncertain, as it’s unclear how MNCs or AI will impact the broader market and how it will trickle down to SMEs. Given the current situation, it’s best to adopt a wait-and-see approach if SMEs wish to continue business as usual. However, I would advise creating strategic partnerships or considering mergers to strengthen the SME in light of future volatility and uncertainty.

2. With the recent closure of many F&B businesses, how many of your clients were impacted in terms of performance? Do you see high rent or human capital issues as the main challenges?

We don’t have many F&B clients, but the ones we have are not affected. The main cost drivers in F&B in Singapore are staff and rental. Since they can’t control these factors, I believe more effort should be placed on social media marketing to boost sales and exposure.

3. Cast Unity was incorporated in 2016, and next year will mark its 10th anniversary. What is your vision moving forward to take the company to the next level?

One option is to explore mergers or acquisitions to bring on 1-2 partners and 5-10 additional staff, creating economies of scale in partner support and reducing concerns about staff attrition. With a stronger team, we can build stronger levels of middle management. Another option is to spend more time strengthening relationships with existing clients, ensuring we remain top of mind for their friends, relatives, and business associates. Next year, we plan to meet clients every 2, 3, 4, or 6 months. A third option is to participate more actively in associations like the Singapore Manufacturing Federation or the Chinese Ethnic Business Associations.

4. What is the uniqueness of Cast Unity in staying competitive in the corporate secretarial and accounting industry, and maintaining its retention rate?

The effort to meet clients regularly, as mentioned in option 2, ensures that we are always their first choice when they need to solve a problem. Our target market has shifted, as we are now sourcing companies that have outgrown their existing service providers and are seeking a new provider to support their next level of growth and compliance. Maintaining retention is all about constant engagement.

5. As the rest of Southeast Asia gears up to attract investors in the region, do you see any shifts in the current market trends that will impact Singapore within the corporate services sector?

As Singapore remains a financial hub, we must stay connected with people outside Asia to provide a trustworthy platform for setting up a company before expanding into other parts of Southeast Asia.

6. What is your best advice to any entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Singapore?

Set up a business relevant to your key skill set; otherwise, the journey will be full of potholes and you’ll have to pay “school fees” to learn a new business. Plan as much as possible and anticipate the hurdles, but don’t be afraid to start. “Just do it” after assessing how to overcome the potential pitfalls—one can’t cover every aspect.

7. What is your management style and motivation towards your team?

Respect, communication, effort, listening, engagement, honesty, and transparency between myself, key management, and the staff.

Follow Eugene on LinkedIn.