As an only child, the weight of this responsibility was immense. Determined to make a difference, I began working at 17. By 18, I had become a brand manager at a leading company in Russia, managing a substantial budget (over $30 million) and overseeing a large team (over 119 people). These experiences taught me invaluable lessons in leadership and financial management. At 23, I was appointed Deputy General Director at Russian Railway and by the age of 26, I launched my own football company, which quickly rose to become one of the top seven football companies in Russia. Despite my success, I yearned for greater challenges. In 2012, I relocated to Singapore, founding multiple companies across various industries. Today, my businesses operate in over 15 countries, reflecting the resilience and determination instilled in me from a young age.

Throw some light on the key areas of expertise you have developed as a legal professional and business leader in the last couple of years.

In recent years, I have developed expertise in international business structuring, company formations, visa matters, and investment management. Leading diverse teams, I focus on offering comprehensive guidance for small and medium businesses and cater to High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth clients. In addition, my expertise spans legal compliance, tax planning, HR, licensing, and strategic business expansion. Most importantly, for me as a business leader, my priority is building successful teams and driving growth for our clients in Singapore and beyond.

Introduce us to RSBU Group. Throw some light on the key responsibilities you shoulder as the company’s CEO.

RSBU Group offers a wide range of services, such as corporate services, employment agency, luxury and business travel, MICE, investment, media, and sports. As the CEO, I set the strategic direction, ensure that we meet our business goals, and lead a skilled team to deliver exceptional service worldwide. My role focuses mainly on driving growth and excellence across all areas.

A business leader’s journey is replete with challenges. Throw some light on the major challenges you encounter in your current role. How do you overcome the said roadblocks?

One of the biggest challenges I face is finding and nurturing the right talent because building cohesive teams is crucial for success, but it’s not always easy. As a leader, I believe in the saying, 'If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.' Additionally, for an entrepreneur operating in today's business landscape, scaling a small enterprise to a global player requires a shift in skills and mindset. As a serial entrepreneur, I tackle these challenges through continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic planning, ensuring we stay agile and focused on our goals.

In your opinion what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey?

During my professional journey, I’ve achieved several notable milestones, in which, winning the Singapore Entrepreneur 100 Award in 2022 and 2023, along with the Singapore SME 500 Award in 2023 and 2024, stands out as significant achievements for me. Additionally, by recognizing my work in Asia-Russia business development, I was honoured with the Singapore Business Awards and APAC Insider. Moreover, considering my professional and entrepreneurial journey so far, I have had the privilege of sharing insights as an expert commentator on BBC World News and have been invited to speak at international conferences and guest lectures at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Nevertheless, my greatest accomplishment is the support and pride of my family, who have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation throughout my career.

How do you foresee women’s representation in the leadership roles evolving in the Asian business landscape going forward?

Women’s representation in leadership roles across Asia is poised for significant growth. According to me, with inherent strengths like emotional intelligence, compassion, and resilience, women bring invaluable skills to leadership. As more women step into these roles, we can anticipate a transformation toward more inclusive and dynamic business environments, driving greater overall success.

Tatiana Sheremetieva, CEO, RSBU Group

Tatiana Sheremetieva, CEO of RSBU Group, holds master’s degrees in International Law and Management, and an MBA in Finance & Innovations Management. She completed the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program at Wharton Business School and has multiple certifications in Trust, Family Office, and International Tax from the Wealth Management Institute Singapore.