Building a people-centric firm, beyond career success

A manager in Audit’s Diversified Industrials & Infrastructure team, Si Ning says the challenge has been to show up for training sessions on weekends, especially after a work week filled with ups and downs.

“But every training session I went to made it worth it. The adrenaline of the game nights, the team’s energy, and the sweet sound of a well-earned goal made it all worth it—plus, chasing a ball with a stick is oddly therapeutic.”

Leading the floorball team also showed her that leadership is about presence, not position. “I learned to trust my team, adapt under pressure, and turn setbacks into comebacks. That same grit and team-first mindset now shape how I lead and collaborate at work.”

These lessons from Si Ning’s floorball journey have also translated to her work at the Rec Club, where she and her team help KPMG staff to build a rich personal life outside of their day jobs.

The club is gunning for its 10th consecutive overall champion win at the ISCA Games in 2025. Last year, Team KPMG took home gold awards across nine events, including volleyball, softball, bowling and carrom.

Team KPMG has been able to achieve its success through unwavering commitment. Si Ning says: “Our colleagues are involved in training sessions all the way until match day. It's proof that KPMG thrives on teamwork, excellence and a lot of adrenaline.” 

Outcomes are an important part of both competitive sports and are also integral to the professional services firm’s work with clients and communities. However, success goes beyond results – it also involves deep collaboration and investments in the well-being of people.

The Rec Club’s social activities also help to strengthen relationships between people across the firm, with the recent KPMG Day being a key platform to engage staff across games and activities such as tug of war and football.

KPMG Day is just one example of how the firm caters to the diverse interests of its people. The Rec Club has been rolling out a wider range of activities in recent months, from sports such as pickleball to activities like candle-making.

The most important thing is to consider what will help the firm to build H2O (a happy and healthy organisation), says Si Ning.

“What makes people excited to show up? Friendly competition? A chance to unwind? Or to connect over shared interests? We then develop activities that tap into these motivations.”

The Rec Club’s hard work – on and off the court – advances the firm’s mission to build a vibrant and people-centric workplace. “We want to be the heartbeat of KPMG in Singapore's well-being and engagement,” Si Ning adds. “It's about nurturing a culture where talent flourishes.”