Recently returned from Hong Kong where Ross held the position of Head of HR – Asia with top law firm Linklaters,
Ross talks to David Owens – MD of HR Partners about the highlights of his spell overseas and how his experience is likely to assist him in his future career.
Ross you had a successful career in Australia prior to taking the Role in Hong Kong- what prompted you to seek overseas opportunities?
It was a combination of things. The opportunity to lead the HR function and manage a reasonable size team across Asia was a big attraction. Additionally it was the opportunity to work with a global organisation and one of the best law firms in the world. Lastly it was about experiencing life in a different country and culture. Asia is a natural region of expansion for many Australian businesses and the opportunity to experience the growth in Asia and the way business is conducted was compelling.
Once you had arrived in the role was the role as you had expected?
Largely yes. I am very grateful to the COO of Linklaters, who during the interview process was very forthright about the business and the challenges the HR function faced. I had a few people in HK query why I would leave sunny Sydney to take on that challenge but I was able to say I came in with my eyes wide open and knew what I was getting myself into. I was also able to shape my role and change the focus of the HR function.
Was the Expat life as good as one possibly imagines?
It's not all beer and skittles but life in Hong Kong was certainly enjoyable. It's a vibrant place to live with a lot of the best that life has to offer - great restaurants, the rest of Asia at your door-step and the opportunity to meet and work with people from many different industries and countries. I was recruited as a local hire but I met people who were enjoying the benefits of expat packages where rent, school fees or private club membership was paid for. The financial crisis brought a spotlight on the high cost of expat packages and that contributed to some expats being transferred back to where they had come from and forced companies to question if they really needed an expat in a particular role. I think the trend towards localised packages will continue and we might not see quite the bells and whistles that people may have enjoyed in the past.
What was the biggest challenge?
Apart from uprooting the whole family to take a role in an industry I didn't know and a country I had never been to, I'd probably say getting up to speed quickly with the different cultures, customs and legislation in each of the countries I looked after was a big initial challenge. This was especially relevant given the firm entered a period of downsizing during the financial crisis. The early investment I made in understanding the business and culture in each location was critical to being able to successfully lead the firm through that period of change. Trying to get a few of the HK taxi drivers to slow down was also a challenge!
How do you feel about your experience overseas now you are back in Australia, do you feel that you have benefitted from the experience gained?
It was a fantastic experience, both professionally and personally. Not only for me but for my wife, who also worked while we were in HK, and our two small children. It's good to hear the kids talk fondly about our trips to places like Beijing and Thailand and to have been able to give them an understanding about other cultures. Professionally it was great to be thrust out of my comfort zone at times, whether that be with a particular work situation or simply trying to find the Tokyo office for the first time after arriving at night! Having the buck stop with me as the head of the function was a great responsibility and one that I really enjoyed. I will carry that confidence with me.
Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I would. We thought long and hard about the role and it pays to do your homework on the location you are considering. It's good to talk to people who are there or who may have lived there and get a range of opinions on life and work in that place. In deciding to take the role, it was very much a family decision. We considered what was in it for each member of the family.
As a well established Senior Generalist you must have worked with some great HR Professionals in Australia and overseas - what is the best advice you have ever received?
I think the thing that sticks out to me most would be at the end of my first day in a new role a few years back the head of the business came past my office and asked "have you made a difference yet?" That was all he asked as he headed past on his way to another meeting. It made me stop and think about my approach to the role. In HR we can get many demands placed on us, many of them urgent but some more important than others. I still use what he said to me as a guide for my actions and always strive to focus my energy on the things that will make a difference to the success of the business. |
years ago in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne to pursue her career in Recruitment and Selection. She has spent the last two years specifically in the HR / Recruitment and Change Management field within the energy sector.
degreein Business Studies from Sheffield University in the UK, and went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, giving him graduate CIPD membership. 
