Meet The Panel
Singapore is a brilliant place to live right now, so if you’ve just landed, we’re certain you’ll make incredible memories here. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Meet our eight expat readers who make up this year’s Panel. You’ll find their tips, advice and recommendations dotted throughout our Guide! Originally from London, Sophie Baillie arrived from London in 2015 with a jar of Marmite, her husband and a one-month-old baby in tow. Fast forward three years and, with another baby boy, she now works across the region as a consultant for fashion and lifestyle brands. Sophie’s excited about living in this part off the world, and thinks Singapore is the perfect jumping off point to explore Southeast Asia.
Beth Medley moved to Singapore in 2008, and spent the following nine years flying around the region in a corporate role. Now mum to three-year-old twins, Isabella and Hunter, she’s followed her passion to start her own ethical kids label. She loves Singapore for its melting pot of culture and vibrant, independent design community.
Hailing from Nashville,
Dana Glore is a southern girl at heart, but also has a sense of adventure and a thirst for exploring the unknown. A biomedical scientist turned event organiser and corporate relations manager, she thrives off trying new things – unless it involves ironing or cockroaches! She moved to Singapore in 2013 with her cat and better half; she has gained a deep appreciation off the dynamic, diverse environment here, and enjoys connecting with new people.
Singapore has been home for
Ankita Singh since 2007, when she moved here from India. Married to her handsome college sweetheart, she is also a mother to two. Her passions include fitness, travelling and whipping up amateur Masterchef dishes, and she aspires to be a mumpreneur in the very near future. After 11 years here, she considers herself practically a local, and she thinks Singapore is a model country in terms of efficiency, safety and being so welcoming.
Alexandra Christensen moved to Singapore in 2015 with her family and is grateful for all the friendships she’s made, the countries she’s visited in this part of the world and the entrepreneurial opportunity it has given her. Her greatest passion is good service and she has now set up a company where she coaches retail staff in improving the customer experience. She loves exploring new gems and corners of Singapore.
Mel Rice moved to Singapore in 2008 with her husband on a sixmonth assignment. Ten years later, they continue to enjoy Singapore and the ease of travel that they can do throughout Southeast Asia. Her favourite trip so far has been a two-week break to Lombok, where she and her partner did an amazing trekking trip on Mount Rinjani.
Linda Preece relocated to Singapore five years ago from Sydney with her daughter and husband. Linda loves living in Sentosa, and follows her passion by designing artistic prints of Singapore that capture the beauty of the little red dot she now calls home. She also runs a group called Coffee & Chat, which she set up to help people meet and make new friends on the island.
Lisa Montford left her hometown of Glasgow to move to Singapore in 2015, and hasn’t looked back since. She loves seeing big ideas become reality and bringing people together to make a difference to the lives of others. She lives in Singapore with her husband Geoff and their little boy, Otto.