Leading Through Transformation in Global Business

In Episode 4 of Leaders with Ambition Asia, Matthew Cooper, Managing Director of Ambition Malaysia, together with Douglas Uwi, Director for Global Business Services, sits down with Jason Crimson, one of the most respected Global Business Services (GBS) and shared services leaders in Malaysia.

With more than 25 years of experience in Global Business Services and shared services, spanning PwC, IBM, Kimberly‑Clark and BHP, Jason’s career closely mirrors the evolution of GBS in Malaysia. From early accounting centres to modern, value‑driven GBS models, his journey offers practical, people‑focused insights into GBS transformation, leadership and long‑term career growth.

This episode explores what it truly takes to lead transformation in Global Business Services, how GBS leaders balance business expectations with people realities, and why curiosity, courage and connection are essential leadership capabilities in today’s changing world of work.

From Small-Town Beginnings to a Global GBS Career

Jason grew up in Batu Pahat, Johor, in a middle-class family where education and self-discipline were priorities. Although he initially aspired to become a lawyer, practical constraints led him towards accounting as the fastest route into the workforce.

After starting his career in tax consulting at PwC, Jason moved to IBM’s accounting centre in Kuala Lumpur, long before shared services was commonly recognised as an industry. It was there that a defining moment changed his career trajectory, when a senior leader gave him candid feedback that while he was an acceptable accountant, his true strengths lay in communication, influence and transformation.

That honest conversation redirected Jason into migration, change and GBS transformation roles, shaping a career that has since spanned global operations, large-scale shared services transformations and senior GBS leadership responsibilities across multiple regions.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Understanding success in Global Business Services

Why true success in GBS comes from aligning personal strengths with real business needs rather than titles, promotions or short-term recognition.

Building trust with stakeholders during transformation

How leaders can navigate resistance, credibility challenges and relationship dynamics when transitioning work into shared services environments.

Leading people in high-change GBS environments

Jason’s perspective on team engagement, empathy and accountability, and why leadership missteps are an inevitable and necessary part of growth.

Three mindset shifts for modern GBS leaders

Why leaders must move from judging to coaching, from messaging to meaning-making, and from authority to facilitation to remain effective today.

AI transformation beyond technology

The realities of AI adoption in GBS, including capability gaps, governance challenges and the people impact leaders must address.

Career advice for standing out in a competitive market

Practical guidance on articulating impact, owning your CV, preparing for tough interview questions and avoiding over-reliance on AI-generated content.

Curiosity, courage and connection as career multipliers

Why business acumen, courageous conversations and strong networks are essential capabilities for long-term relevance and progression.

Becoming the perfect work in progress

Jason’s personal leadership philosophy centred on continuous self-improvement, learning and resilience in an ever-evolving world of work.

Key Takeaways

Success in GBS comes from aligning individual strengths with business outcomes
Honest feedback can be uncomfortable but often accelerates leadership growth
Leadership today requires coaching, meaning-making and facilitation
AI adoption in shared services demands strong change management alongside technology
Curiosity must keep pace with ambition to drive long-term impact
Courageous conversations strengthen performance, relationships and careers
Viewing yourself as a constant work in progress enables sustained development

Key Quotes from the Episode

"Your curiosity needs to match your ambition."

"Success comes when what you do aligns with what the business truly needs."

"Leaders must bring meaning to change, not just pass on messages."

"I want to be the perfect work in progress."

About Jason Crimson

Jason Crimson is a senior global business services/shared services leader with 25+ years of experience in accounting, finance, shared services/GBS operations roles in multinational organisations such as PwC, IBM, Kimberly-Clark and BHP; and has served multiple international assignments to the United States and United Kingdom.

Jason’s GBS/shared services experiences spans leading multi-functional global operations, driving transformation and change programs, expanding business service offerings and leading organisations of up to 1500 team members globally.

As Managing Director of GBS Hub Consulting, Jason provides capability building services such as training solutions, performance coaching and consulting services for Global Business Services / Shared Services organisations and professionals. He also serves as a speaker at regional conferences and corporate events on areas of leadership development and personal growth.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jason is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). He is also a certified Change Management practitioner, Agile Project Management practitioner, Certified Associate Coach and HRD Corporation Accredited Trainer (Malaysia).

About Matthew Cooper

Matthew Cooper is the Managing Director of Ambition Malaysia, leading recruitment across Commerce & Industry, Global Business Services, and Banking & Financial Services.

With more than 20 years of recruitment experience across the UK and Asia, Matthew is passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening long-term client partnerships, and helping organisations navigate increasingly complex talent challenges.

Under his leadership, the Malaysia business has built a strong reputation for specialist market knowledge, trusted relationships, and a steadfast commitment to Ambition’s purpose of Building Better Futures.

About Douglas Uwi

Douglas Uwi is a Director at Ambition Malaysia, where he leads the GBS recruitment practice. With near to a decade experience in the recruitment industry, Douglas specialises in partnering with government agencies and private firms to work with potential investors in setting up their firms in Malaysia. Douglas is also known for hosting roundtables in the GBS community since 5 years ago. His approach has always been unconventionally casual in building relationship with the people around him. He is passionate in building a thriving GBS ecosystem for Malaysia.