KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Toptal, the world’s largest fully remote workforce, has been ranked the number one most reliable professional services company in America on the America’s Most Reliable Companies 2026 list by Newsweek and Statista.
“This achievement reflects the trust global organisations place in Toptal as a dependable partner for top talent and strategic execution. The recognition reinforces our continued commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes for clients of all sizes,” said Toptal Chief Executive Officer, Taso Du Val in a statement.
In Newsweek’s ranking of 300 companies across all industries, Toptal placed 10th, behind Bank of America and Oracle, which tied for ninth.
As the most reliable professional services organisation in America, Toptal, which ranked 11th in the overall absolute rankings, placed well ahead of companies such as Accenture, Deloitte and Cognizant.
The America’s Most Reliable Companies 2026 ranking is based on an independent survey of over 80,000 evaluations submitted by 2,400 business decision-makers at America’s largest companies, making the recognition a meaningful indicator of product and service excellence in the business-to-business (B2B) marketplace.
Companies were assessed across five key metrics, namely likelihood of recommendation, ease of doing business, value for money, consistency of deliverables and reputation for dependability. The ranking recognises organisations that deliver reliable and consistent outcomes.
Toptal stands out for its professional services offerings across technology services, artificial intelligence services, data labelling and annotation, management consulting and managed services, among others.
In securing its position on the list alongside global brands, Toptal’s performance highlights the company’s mission to empower organisations with a relentless focus on reliability, trust, and long-term client value.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Thursday, 29 January 2026
Vave Singapore Launches in Penang with World’s First Pickleball “Playcation” Sports Event
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| Vave Singapore team at launch event of Vave in Penang, Malaysia |
PENANG, Malaysia, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Vave Singapore has launched in Penang with the first Pickleball “Playcation” sports event, introducing a new tournament format that combines competitive play with travel, family participation and community engagement.
The Playcation event, organised by Singapore-based Sports League, will take place on 30 and 31 January 2026 at D’Plazza Mall, Jalan Mahsuri, Bayan Baru. The tournament features 13 regional teams, and marks the debut of Vave in Penang.
The Best Family Sports Vacation
The Pickleball Playcation is more than a tournament—it is a fully curated family sports vacation, combining competition, leisure and cultural experiences for amateur athletes. Event experiences include local sightseeing tours around Penang, hotel accommodation and local transport, entry to all playing events, exclusive T-shirt and goodie bags for participants.
By blending competitive play with family-friendly travel and social engagement, the Pickleball Playcation reflects a growing trend in sports tourism across Asia. Organisers believe such events can strengthen Penang’s position as a host city for lifestyle-oriented sports events, while showcasing Malaysia’s readiness to support international pickleball competitions.
The event also coincides with Visit Malaysia 2026, a national tourism campaign to attract international visitors with diverse cultural experiences, focusing on family-friendly travel, sustainability, and showcasing Malaysia's unique heritage.
“This Playcation approach is designed to appeal to families, amateur athletes, and sports enthusiasts seeking an engaging and memorable travel experience in Penang while enjoying the excitement of competitive pickleball,” said Benny Gan from Vave.
Launch of Vave.Life Sports Platform
Additionally, the event will also mark the introduction of Vave, a mobile app and tournament management platform developed to support regional competitions, family-oriented sports travel and community events across Asia. The system allows participants to register for events, track match results, view rankings and maintain match history through a single integrated platform—professionalising amateur sports experiences while keeping them accessible and community-friendly.
Alongside the Pickleball Playcation, Vave will also support a table tennis tournament at the Penang Table Tennis Center from 31 January to 1 February 2026, demonstrating the platform’s versatility across different sports events.
Varad Kumaravelu, Founder of Vave added, “The Vave app is designed to serve regional tournaments, multiple sports and family-friendly competitions by managing regional matches across different sports, tracking results and providing a seamless experience for players and families alike. It’s built to make amateur sports more accessible, connected, and fun, no matter the sport.”
About Vave (Vave.Life)
Vave is a mobile app and tournament management platform that connects sports communities and supports regional competitions across multiple sports. The platform powers Playcations—sports events that combine competitive play with travel and family-friendly experiences in destinations such as Penang, Bali, Goa and Europe. Vave is developed by Sports League, a company founded in 2020 with the belief that competitive sports should be accessible, exciting, and inclusive for everyone. Sports League aims to grow the amateur sports ecosystem—one match, one story, and one player at a time. For more information, please visit https://www.vave.life/#events
SOURCE: Flame Communications Pte Ltd
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Florence Fang
Flame Communications (PR/Marketing Agency)
Tel: (65) 92769231
Email: Florence.fang@flamecomms.com
--BERNAMA
DELIBERATE DESIGN TO DRIVE ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS IN 2026, REPORT FINDS
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Organisations can no longer rely on speed and scale alone to sustain performance in 2026, according to a new report by Top Employers Institute, a global certification, benchmarking, and advisory firm.
The study, World of Work Trends 2026: The Intentional Organisation, highlights that high-performing organisations will prioritise deliberate design in work, leadership, and management systems to drive sustainable success.
“2026 is where speed gives way to intentional design. Our data shows that performance under pressure now depends on how deliberately organisations structure work, decision-making and leadership focus,” said Top Employers Institute chief executive officer, Adrian Seligman.
Drawing on a dataset of 2,358 global organisations, the report identifies five critical trends human resources (HR) leaders must address to sustain performance under pressure, according to the firm in a statement.
Moving beyond statements, HR leaders must embed purpose into decision-making and implement measurement scorecards to provide tangible evidence of its impact on behaviours and outcomes.
As nearly half of AI projects are scrapped and productivity gains are reported by only 37 per cent of teams, intentional deployment is paramount. HR leaders must establish clear governance frameworks regarding use, accountability, and fairness.
While most organisations have remote work policies, future performance will be distinguished by how deliberately flexibility is structured. Designing flexibility with boundaries is necessary to protect fairness, performance, and employee wellbeing.
Organisations must accept that productivity cannot come from simply working people harder, especially amid shrinking HR budgets and rising burnout. The path forward involves directing energy to high-impact work, protecting focus, and building renewable workforce capability through redeployment and reskilling.
Competitive advantage depends on redesigning stability as a platform for continuous learning and internal mobility, not merely retention. Organisations that prioritise job security currently report nine per cent lower voluntary turnover than average.
The report’s findings are based on anonymised survey responses and regression analyses linking HR best practices with key success metrics, including employee engagement, profitability, and market share.
-- BERNAMA
The study, World of Work Trends 2026: The Intentional Organisation, highlights that high-performing organisations will prioritise deliberate design in work, leadership, and management systems to drive sustainable success.
“2026 is where speed gives way to intentional design. Our data shows that performance under pressure now depends on how deliberately organisations structure work, decision-making and leadership focus,” said Top Employers Institute chief executive officer, Adrian Seligman.
Drawing on a dataset of 2,358 global organisations, the report identifies five critical trends human resources (HR) leaders must address to sustain performance under pressure, according to the firm in a statement.
Moving beyond statements, HR leaders must embed purpose into decision-making and implement measurement scorecards to provide tangible evidence of its impact on behaviours and outcomes.
As nearly half of AI projects are scrapped and productivity gains are reported by only 37 per cent of teams, intentional deployment is paramount. HR leaders must establish clear governance frameworks regarding use, accountability, and fairness.
While most organisations have remote work policies, future performance will be distinguished by how deliberately flexibility is structured. Designing flexibility with boundaries is necessary to protect fairness, performance, and employee wellbeing.
Organisations must accept that productivity cannot come from simply working people harder, especially amid shrinking HR budgets and rising burnout. The path forward involves directing energy to high-impact work, protecting focus, and building renewable workforce capability through redeployment and reskilling.
Competitive advantage depends on redesigning stability as a platform for continuous learning and internal mobility, not merely retention. Organisations that prioritise job security currently report nine per cent lower voluntary turnover than average.
The report’s findings are based on anonymised survey responses and regression analyses linking HR best practices with key success metrics, including employee engagement, profitability, and market share.
-- BERNAMA
QNA MARCOM & EVENTS EXPANDS APAC FOOTPRINT WITH MUMBAI HEADQUARTERS
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- QNA Marcom & Events has announced the launch of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) headquarters in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion across the region.
The launch coincides with QNA’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of building industry platforms, shaping business dialogue and enabling engagement across global markets.
“Over the last decade, we have grown across more than 20 countries through strong partnerships and purpose-led initiatives. The Mumbai office is not just a geographic expansion; it reinforces our long-term commitment to India as a core growth market and innovation hub,” said its Managing Director, Ankit Shukla.
In a statement, QNA said the establishment of its APAC headquarters will support plans to scale its footprint across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on curating high-impact platforms aligned with evolving market needs across multiple industry verticals.
The Mumbai office will function as a regional innovation hub, enabling the company to explore new markets, adopt emerging technologies and deliver immersive, outcome-driven events for governments, enterprises and industry ecosystems.
The office was inaugurated by businessman, philanthropist and strategic advisor Bharat Mehra, whose presence as a chief guest underscored the strategic importance of QNA’s expansion in India and its focus on purpose-driven leadership and community impact.
Over the past decade, QNA has delivered more than 150 business-to-business (B2B) conferences and summits, along with thousands of curated roadshows across over 20 countries, spanning India, APAC, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The company has partnered with governments, regulators, global enterprises and industry associations, establishing itself as a platform builder for national and regional initiatives.
Known for its content-driven events, QNA brings together business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and technology experts to foster collaboration and drive meaningful outcomes.
-- BERNAMA
The launch coincides with QNA’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of building industry platforms, shaping business dialogue and enabling engagement across global markets.
“Over the last decade, we have grown across more than 20 countries through strong partnerships and purpose-led initiatives. The Mumbai office is not just a geographic expansion; it reinforces our long-term commitment to India as a core growth market and innovation hub,” said its Managing Director, Ankit Shukla.
In a statement, QNA said the establishment of its APAC headquarters will support plans to scale its footprint across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on curating high-impact platforms aligned with evolving market needs across multiple industry verticals.
The Mumbai office will function as a regional innovation hub, enabling the company to explore new markets, adopt emerging technologies and deliver immersive, outcome-driven events for governments, enterprises and industry ecosystems.
The office was inaugurated by businessman, philanthropist and strategic advisor Bharat Mehra, whose presence as a chief guest underscored the strategic importance of QNA’s expansion in India and its focus on purpose-driven leadership and community impact.
Over the past decade, QNA has delivered more than 150 business-to-business (B2B) conferences and summits, along with thousands of curated roadshows across over 20 countries, spanning India, APAC, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The company has partnered with governments, regulators, global enterprises and industry associations, establishing itself as a platform builder for national and regional initiatives.
Known for its content-driven events, QNA brings together business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and technology experts to foster collaboration and drive meaningful outcomes.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Coventry Expands LILY Life Insurance-Backed Funding Program with $750 Million in New Asset-Backed Notes
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Jan 28 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coventry, the leader and creator of the secondary market for life insurance and a pioneer of the life insurance-backed asset class, today announced the successful completion of its third asset-backed securitization since April 2025 under its LILY program. Collectively, these transactions total $750 million in life insurance-backed financing and further establish Coventry as the leading platform for institutional investors seeking differentiated exposure to longevity-linked assets.
The LILY program structures longevity-linked assets into investment-grade asset-backed securities that emphasize durable collateral, predictable cash flows, and characteristics that are largely uncorrelated with traditional markets. By combining disciplined underwriting, actuarial analytics, and robust structural protections, LILY provides investors with access to a specialized asset class through a familiar ABS format.
“What’s most important about the success of the LILY program is not any single transaction, but the establishment of a repeatable, institutional-quality issuance platform for life insurance-linked assets,” said Reid Buerger, CEO of Coventry. “That evolution reflects years of building the origination scale, analytics, servicing capabilities, and structural rigor required to support sustained securitization activity.”
The continued growth of the LILY program underscores Coventry’s position at the intersection of life insurance, asset-backed finance, and private credit, and highlights the firm’s role in shaping the institutional market for longevity-linked investments. As demand for high-quality, uncorrelated assets continues to grow, Coventry expects LILY to play a central role in funding the responsible expansion of the life insurance-backed asset class.
About Coventry
Coventry is the leader and creator of the secondary market for life insurance and a pioneer of the life insurance-backed asset class, operating an integrated platform across four complementary verticals: the secondary market for life insurance, longevity lending, life insurance and annuity distribution, and insurance technology. Through these businesses, Coventry expands financial options for policyowners, provides capital solutions backed by life insurance policies and other longevity-linked assets, broadens access to protection and retirement products, and applies technology to enhance pricing, risk management, and operational efficiency across the life insurance ecosystem. Guided by a longstanding commitment to consumer rights and market integrity, Coventry leverages its leadership position to raise industry standards, expand consumer choice, and responsibly develop institutional-quality life insurance-backed investment solutions. Over its history, Coventry has acquired more than 21,000 life insurance policies, completed more than $50 billion in longevity-linked transactions, delivered more than $6 billion to policyowners, and originated more than $1 billion in life insurance-linked loans. To learn more about Coventry, visit Coventry.com.
Media Contact:
Jonny Shiver
Vice President, Marketing
jshiver@coventry.com
(215) 836-8300
SOURCE: Coventry
The LILY program structures longevity-linked assets into investment-grade asset-backed securities that emphasize durable collateral, predictable cash flows, and characteristics that are largely uncorrelated with traditional markets. By combining disciplined underwriting, actuarial analytics, and robust structural protections, LILY provides investors with access to a specialized asset class through a familiar ABS format.
“What’s most important about the success of the LILY program is not any single transaction, but the establishment of a repeatable, institutional-quality issuance platform for life insurance-linked assets,” said Reid Buerger, CEO of Coventry. “That evolution reflects years of building the origination scale, analytics, servicing capabilities, and structural rigor required to support sustained securitization activity.”
The continued growth of the LILY program underscores Coventry’s position at the intersection of life insurance, asset-backed finance, and private credit, and highlights the firm’s role in shaping the institutional market for longevity-linked investments. As demand for high-quality, uncorrelated assets continues to grow, Coventry expects LILY to play a central role in funding the responsible expansion of the life insurance-backed asset class.
About Coventry
Coventry is the leader and creator of the secondary market for life insurance and a pioneer of the life insurance-backed asset class, operating an integrated platform across four complementary verticals: the secondary market for life insurance, longevity lending, life insurance and annuity distribution, and insurance technology. Through these businesses, Coventry expands financial options for policyowners, provides capital solutions backed by life insurance policies and other longevity-linked assets, broadens access to protection and retirement products, and applies technology to enhance pricing, risk management, and operational efficiency across the life insurance ecosystem. Guided by a longstanding commitment to consumer rights and market integrity, Coventry leverages its leadership position to raise industry standards, expand consumer choice, and responsibly develop institutional-quality life insurance-backed investment solutions. Over its history, Coventry has acquired more than 21,000 life insurance policies, completed more than $50 billion in longevity-linked transactions, delivered more than $6 billion to policyowners, and originated more than $1 billion in life insurance-linked loans. To learn more about Coventry, visit Coventry.com.
Media Contact:
Jonny Shiver
Vice President, Marketing
jshiver@coventry.com
(215) 836-8300
SOURCE: Coventry
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
CHINA'S ANTA SPORTS TO BUY 29 PCT STAKE IN PUMA, DRIVING GLOBAL EXPANSION
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- ANTA Sports Products Limited (ANTA Sports) has reached a share purchase agreement with Groupe Artémis, the Pinault family’s investment company, to acquire a 29.06 per cent stake in PUMA SE for 1.5 billion euros in cash. (1 Euro = RM4.70)
According to a statement, the transaction marks a major step in ANTA Sports’ globalisation strategy and is expected to close by the end of 2026 pending regulatory approvals and will be fully funded from ANTA Sports’ internal cash resources.
ANTA Sports Board Chairman, Ding Shizhong said the partnership will allow both companies to unlock PUMA’s potential and accelerate ANTA Sports’ international expansion.
“This will further accelerate ANTA Sports’ globalisation and help drive the next chapter of growth for the global sports markets, including China – creating lasting value for both companies’ consumers and shareholders worldwide,” said Ding.
ANTA Sports, with over 35 years in the sporting goods industry, has established a leading position in China and expanded across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Europe. The company has extensive experience managing multiple international brands and revitalising brand value, including through its “Brand + Retail” business model.
PUMA is known globally for its heritage and sports portfolio, spanning football, running, training, basketball, and motorsport.
ANTA Sports plans to seek representation on PUMA’s Supervisory Board while preserving the brand’s identity and independence, with no current plans for a full takeover.
-- BERNAMA
According to a statement, the transaction marks a major step in ANTA Sports’ globalisation strategy and is expected to close by the end of 2026 pending regulatory approvals and will be fully funded from ANTA Sports’ internal cash resources.
ANTA Sports Board Chairman, Ding Shizhong said the partnership will allow both companies to unlock PUMA’s potential and accelerate ANTA Sports’ international expansion.
“This will further accelerate ANTA Sports’ globalisation and help drive the next chapter of growth for the global sports markets, including China – creating lasting value for both companies’ consumers and shareholders worldwide,” said Ding.
ANTA Sports, with over 35 years in the sporting goods industry, has established a leading position in China and expanded across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Europe. The company has extensive experience managing multiple international brands and revitalising brand value, including through its “Brand + Retail” business model.
PUMA is known globally for its heritage and sports portfolio, spanning football, running, training, basketball, and motorsport.
ANTA Sports plans to seek representation on PUMA’s Supervisory Board while preserving the brand’s identity and independence, with no current plans for a full takeover.
-- BERNAMA
Monday, 26 January 2026
SAUDI MINISTERS PITCH 'CONNECTOR ECONOMY' AT WEF DAVOS
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| Amid shifting global trade dynamics, Saudi Arabia underscores its role as a stable connector economy linking markets across regions (Photo: AETOSWire) |
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Saudi Arabia’s ministers at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos outlined the Kingdom's strategy to become a pivotal "connector economy" amid shifts in global trade, aggressively expanding its tourism sector, and reinforcing its role as a stable partner in finance and emerging technologies.
Minister of Commerce, Majid A. Alkassabi stated that global trade is moving toward a "managed and rule-driven trade model". He positioned Saudi Arabia's strategic location and resources as key advantages, allowing it to become a "bridge economy" and a major "logistic hub" linking Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The Kingdom’s tourism ambitions were highlighted by Minister of Tourism, Ahmed A. Alkhateeb. Citing UN Tourism projections for two billion tourists by 2030, he described the growth potential as "very encouraging" for Saudi hotel operators, investors, and technology providers.
On the financial front, Minister of Finance, Mohammed A. Aljadaan affirmed the government's role in providing a predictable business environment. This is being achieved by strengthening the national economy’s resilience and ensuring the private sector maintains the necessary confidence.
The Kingdom's technological focus was detailed by Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah A. Alswaha. Addressing challenges like the "energy wall and the memory wall" in artificial intelligence (AI), he extended a call for global partners, emphasising that Saudi Arabia is the partner of choice to accelerate and adopt AI in the "Intelligence Age".
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar I. Alkhorayef stressed Saudi Arabia's commitment to a multilateral approach in international cooperation. He pointed to the Future Minerals Forum as a global convening platform uniting governments, industry, finance, and academia to address the future of minerals.
Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal F. Alibrahim, speaking on economic partnerships, expressed belief in a world where every country can realise its economic potential while maintaining open dialogue, calling the current era a vast opportunity to "design the future".
Further cementing its global role, the Global Innovation Platform—a strategic partnership between Saudi HoldCo and GoldenPoint Global—launched the Saudi–United States Innovation Partnership during the meeting, according to a statement.
This platform is designed to accelerate bilateral collaboration in life sciences, AI, and advanced manufacturing, anchored in Riyadh and Austin.
Additionally, Amplifai Health was recognised as a winner in the second cohort of WEF’s MINDS - AI Global Alliance initiative.
-- BERNAMA
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