Cambodia Investment Review
CHOKCHEY Finance, a fast-growing financial services provider in Cambodia, has opened its new corporate headquarters in Booyoung Town, marking a strategic milestone not just in scale, but in cultural and operational transformation.
Founded in 2017 with just one branch, 18 employees, and $1 million in assets, the Korean-backed financial firm has grown into a network of 10 branches employing 240 staff across the country. But according to CEO Ryan Gil Park, the new headquarters represents more than a physical relocation — it’s a blueprint for the company’s future.
“We didn’t build a new office just because we were expanding. We built it to work differently,” Park said.
Redesigning Culture Through Space
While digital transformation remains a top priority across Cambodia’s financial sector, Park emphasized that culture, not just technology, was the real hurdle for the company.
“Technology is ready. But without cultural alignment, it’s meaningless,” Park said.
In Cambodia — and to some extent, Korea — traditional workplace hierarchies often stifle open communication. Information is kept in private notebooks, and junior employees are reluctant to voice opinions. Park aimed to change that, beginning with the workspace itself.
The new headquarters has replaced solid partitions with glass walls, eliminated physical barriers, and outfitted every meeting room with whiteboards to encourage transparency and collaboration. Microsoft Teams has been adopted organization-wide as a central tool for real-time communication.
“This space is where we’re testing our new organizational DNA,” he said.
Simple Design, Deep Symbolism
CHOKCHEY’s new office embraces a design philosophy dubbed “Simple & Slim,” inspired by lifestyle brands such as Monocle and Paul Smith. Bright white walls, neutral-toned furnishings, light wood textures, and generous natural light are intended to reduce fatigue and foster creativity.
A bold navy-blue logo marks the exterior, with a subtle boat symbol integrated into the branding — a nod to Phnom Penh’s iconic Water Festival and a metaphor for shared journey and progress.
“This boat symbolizes our collective journey forward,” Park explained.
Human Capital at the Core
Adjoining the main building is the newly established CHOKCHEY Learning Center, a flexible training and development space capable of hosting up to 80 people. More than a training room, the center is a strategic investment in long-term human capital development.
Equipped with movable furniture and multimedia systems, the facility supports leadership workshops, digital skill-building, and cultural onboarding. Motivational phrases like “Think Outside the Box” and “Connecting the Dots” adorn the walls to reinforce the company’s innovation mindset.
CHOKCHEY’s HR philosophy — summarized in the mantra “People, People, People” — puts employees at the heart of its operational model. The learning center plays a key role in that vision, supporting a workforce that can adapt and thrive as the company modernizes.
Positioning for the Future
Booyoung Town, the site of the new HQ, is fast becoming a hub for Korean businesses in Phnom Penh. Park said the location aligns with CHOKCHEY’s identity as a modern, globally minded financial institution.
“It’s digital-friendly, globally accessible, and — most importantly — aligned with our brand’s aesthetics and identity,” he said.
Looking ahead, CHOKCHEY Finance plans to expand into new product lines and strengthen in-house capabilities. These include:
- AI-driven risk assessment systems
- CRM automation through the firm’s WIN-SOL platform
- Entry into the used vehicle financing market
- Internalization of key departments such as marketing, IT, and learning and development
These initiatives are all tied to a core mission: enabling customer success through digital finance.
“We’re not just a tech company or a traditional finance company. We’re a people-centered digital finance company, growing alongside our customers,” Park said.
Transforming From the Inside Out
The company’s leadership sees the headquarters as a tangible reflection of its evolving values — from hierarchy to openness, from fragmented communication to integrated collaboration.
“This isn’t just a bigger office. It’s a platform for cultural reinvention,” Park noted.
As the Cambodian financial sector continues to modernize, CHOKCHEY Finance’s shift from traditional finance operations toward a people-centric digital model positions it to play a key role in shaping the industry’s future.
The company’s next steps, Park suggests, could very well become a model for others navigating the intersection of growth, innovation, and corporate culture in Cambodia’s evolving business landscape.
