foodpanda SG names new MD, anchors regional hub and tech academy

Foodpanda Singapore has appointed Lawrence Wen (pictured) as its managing director. In his new role, Wen will accelerate the growth of foodpanda Singapore’s business across different verticals, as well as advance the adoption of digital solutions in order to realise a vision to deliver anything, anytime. Wen's appointment comes in light of foodpanda's tenth anniversary. 

Wen brings with him over 15 years of experience in the F&B, technology, consulting, and financial service industries. He also has a track record of accelerated growth in on-demand companies, according to a Statement by foodpanda. Wen said that foodpanda Singapore has come a long way since 2012, and he is excited to be part of its growth journey from here on. “Tech has always been at the core of our business, and one of the key priorities for me is to continue to use technology to better the lives of people in Singapore,” he added. 

In response to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a foodpanda spokesperson said that Luc Andreani, who formerly helmed the role of MD in Singapore, has taken on the role of chief international officer, Southeast Asia, foodpanda. 

Concurrently, foodpanda celebrated its anniversary with the launch of its regional headquarters in Singapore and the foodpanda PowerUp! Tech Academy. Foodpanda’s new regional headquarters in Singapore houses 1,200 employees from its regional and local operational teams, as well as the company’s global tech hub. The foodpanda PowerUp! Tech Academy will use its parent company Delivery Hero’s global knowledge base in Singapore to power the tech and innovation ecosystem. The tech academy will include programmes and partnerships catered to growing the local tech talent pool, upskilling riders and helping merchants to digitalise their businesses. 

Foodpanda first launched in Singapore in 2012. It has since grown and currently operates in over 400 cities across 11 markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Foodpanda, together with Delivery Hero’s Delivery Hero Ventures, has also invested more than SG$120 million in Singapore-based regional tech start-ups including Toku, Flash Coffee and Omnistream.

Most recently, foodpanda decided to give giving away plushies of its mascot, Pau-Pau, in collaboration with Burger King. Burger King was chosen as it is one of foodpanda's top restaurant partners.

In January this year, to celebrate its 10th anniversary as a food and grocery delivery platform in Asia, foodpanda introduced a fresh face for the brand called Pau-Pau.  The introduction of Pau-Pau builds on foodpanda’s earlier brand refresh, which saw foodpanda revitalising its look with fresh visuals and a more vibrant colour palette across its design touchpoints, and more friendly user interface as the platform expands beyond just food delivery.

Describing its new face as a “fun-loving and free-spirited panda”, Pau-Pau is said to be the first-of-its-kind brand ambassador, championing empowerment and sustainability across the region. Pau-Pau’s identity as a foodpanda brand ambassador will be brought to life in full — from having his own language and story, to a full set of values, such as caring for the environment, empowerment and the belief in living life on one’s own terms.

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