A conversation with Gary Tok, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascentium
What is corporate services and why is it important for businesses?
A: Corporate services is a USD 200 billion industry built around supporting other businesses. At Ascentium, that spans payroll, accounting, compliance filings, and the countless operational tasks companies must get right to stay in good standing.
Think of it like special effects in a blockbuster movie. When the effects are flawless, no one notices them; you’re immersed in the story. But the moment the green screen looks off or the explosion feels fake, everything falls apart.
When our work goes right, clients don’t think about it. When it goes wrong, it becomes urgent, visible, and unforgiving.
What are businesses actually paying for when they use corporate services?
A: People say they want “quality,” but quality is vague. For us, it breaks down into three clear pillars:
Firstly, assurance, the peace of mind that things are being worked on correctly while you sleep. Secondly, self-correction– mistakes happen everywhere, what matters is how fast they’re caught, fixed, and resolved. Finally, orchestration, hundreds of moving parts must work together seamlessly. Most of that coordination is invisible, but it is what ensures efficiency, timeliness, and compliance.
That is what we deliver for more than 50,000 clients. Without orchestration, none of it works.
How do you support different types of clients, from startups to global companies?
A: Startups and multinationals may use the same services, but their emotional realities are completely different. A founder’s entire livelihood may hinge on a payroll cycle, whereas a global CFO may be focused on risk mitigation and governance.
This industry is a people business, which is why we’ve started codifying the different profiles of the people we work with. Understanding who sits behind the business helps us tailor the approach, the communication, and the experience. Ultimately, standardisation drives efficiency but personalisation drives trust.
What happens when business operations like payroll or compliance go wrong?
A: There’s a domino effect. A regulatory fine is not just financial, it impacts reputation. A payroll mistake doesn’t just affect numbers; it affects people’s lives. A compliance lapse doesn’t just trigger paperwork, it triggers distrust from investors and stakeholders.
These breakdowns are the moments when invisible work becomes painfully visible. That’s why orchestration matters so deeply.
Why is corporate services an important but often overlooked industry?
A: Behind every IPO, every fundraising milestone, every expansion into a new market, there’s a group of people working behind the scenes.
One of the most meaningful things I’ve ever heard from a client is, “Your team is an extension of my team.” That tells me we’ve built trust. It tells me we’ve achieved the level of orchestration we aim for. It tells me that even if our work is invisible, our impact is not.
Helping clients succeed without ever needing the spotlight, that’s what makes this work fulfilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Corporate services may not always be visible, but they sit at the centre of how businesses operate.
When things work well, they go unnoticed. When they don’t, the impact is immediate. That is why getting the fundamentals right matters.
For businesses operating across markets, these systems are not just support functions. They are what keep everything moving.
Avoid costly mistakes in payroll, compliance, and reporting
