WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd, a specialist in corporate strategy and investor relations, has been appointed by Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) as a service provider for both programmes under the S$30 million MAS-SGX Value Unlock initiative. The initiative, designed to strengthen foundations and drive value creation among SGX-listed companies (listcos), offers grants to offset costs for professional services and training.
Founded in 1999, WeR1 has been approved for the Equip and Elevate programmes. Under the Equip Grant, WeR1 is launching three training programmes: Lining Your IR Calendar Effectively, Turning Crisis into Opportunity, and Specialist Writing for Financial Markets. Participating companies can claim 50% co-funding support of up to S$15,000 each. For the Elevate Grant, WeR1 offers investor relations (IR) services, with undervalued companies receiving 50% co-funding support capped at S$200,000 per listco to bridge the valuation gap.
WeR1’s appointment reflects its 27-year track record of helping small- to mid-cap listcos, which often struggle with weak market visibility, in their financial communications. Led by former Reuters correspondent and Merrill Lynch equity analyst Lai Kwok Kin (KK Lai), the firm has supported dozens of listcos in corporate strategy, IPO and crisis communications, and IR.
A core approach of WeR1 for the Elevate programme is its Corporate & Business Update (CBU) methodology, a disclosure-based narrative refresh designed for listcos with limited analyst coverage, uneven trading liquidity and low investor engagement. WeR1 has helped more than 30 companies articulate their corporate transformation, including Fu Yu Corporation and Zico Holdings.
KK Lai, WeR1’s Founder and Managing Director, said: “We are deeply honoured to have been approved for both programmes under the MAS-SGX Value Unlock Initiative. Many smaller listcos remain undervalued because they do not communicate with clarity and consistency. WeR1 intends to bring its experience and approaches to help these companies overcome the valuation gap and increase trading liquidity.”
WeR1 is inviting SGX-listed companies, particularly smaller Mainboard and Catalist issuers, to explore their eligibility under the Equip and Elevate programmes. The initiative highlights the importance of strategic communication in unlocking shareholder value and improving market performance for smaller listed firms.
