By Tracy Driscoll
Tell me about your role and the path you took to get here.
I joined KPMG China 17 years ago, immediately after graduating from university. In 2000 I started as a transaction professional, based in Beijing and covering a wide range of sectors. After eight years in this role, I was seconded to work in the global chairman’s office in London, as the executive assistant to KPMG global deputy chairman.
After my return to KPMG China in 2011, I built up a dedicated oil and gas team and assisted the Chinese oil majors in a number of landmark transactions including CNOOC’s [China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s] £11.7 billion acquisition of Nexen in Canada – the largest oil and gas China outbound transaction.
In April 2016, I became the COO of KPMG’s Global China Practice (GCP). GCP helps Chinese companies invest overseas and multinational companies enter or expand in the China market. I manage and coordinate with KPMG’s Local China Practices in over 60 countries.
I was selected for this role mainly because of my transaction background, overseas experience working in the global organisation and my network connections. My personal attributes of being passionate, willing to meet challenges and open to change also helped me get this role.
Who were your role models and why?
I went to a vocational high school in Beijing where students were trained with job specific skills in order to find jobs after graduation. My English teacher, Ms Hao Youming, always said to us: “everyone can be successful with a strong will and open eyes”. She encouraged me to participate in the college entrance exam gaokao and to take the chance to change. She said, “no matter if you can get in or not, once you have been through it, you will be a much stronger person ready for any challenges in life”. With a year’s preparation, I was enrolled by the University of International Business and Economics, the leading Chinese university in economics, finance and international business. Ms Hao is one of the most important people in my life, she encouraged me to make the most critical decision, which changed the course of my life journey. When I’ve faced difficult situations, I always thought of Ms Hao’s kind and warm eyes, encouraging me to be brave and be myself.
Ms Hao is the founder and the principal of the Beijing Chaoyang Foreign Language School. While she is in her eighties, she is still active in school, encouraging and empowering each student to change and realise their potential.
What challenges have you faced that you think are particular to women and how did you deal with them?
I recently shared my experiences of being a working woman, and of my career path at a panel event titled: “Women Who Launch”. The event was held on International Women’s Day, in support of the “Be Yourself Champaign”, jointly organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, China-Britain Business Council and the British Embassy.
The theme of how to “be yourself”, is a very relevant challenge that women often face. For much of the time, women are told to be “good” and remain in their comfort zone. But I feel it is important to follow your heart, be brave and be open for new challenges.
I started my secondment to KPMG London office in September 2008. It was my first experience of living abroad, and whilst I was full of ambition to gain more overseas transaction experience, the financial world had just collapsed, as the financial crisis took hold.
For the first few months, I wasn’t utilised as much as I could have been, but it was important to me to not waste the secondment opportunity and get to work. Therefore, I actively sought opportunities to assist with proposals, improve my English skills and build my cultural awareness. It was through the “quiet” time that I adapted myself to the new work environment, culture and established my connections.
Then an opportunity came to apply for a role as the executive assistant to the deputy chairman of KPMG International. I thought: why not give it a try. And, after multiple rounds of interviews, I got the job.
During my three years of working at KPMG International, I experienced huge learning curves, working on “out of the box” tasks, from global governance and budgeting to individual global initiatives. Not only that but the language and culture differences and working with senior people around the global network really enabled me to grow.
As a Chinese female, I am by nature a shy and conservative person. There were many situations where I was amongst the most senior staff in a (majority male) boardroom meeting, yet it was a challenge to consider how I should present myself and how I should contribute to the discussions.
When I look back, it was the most valuable experience for me to get out of my comfort zone, embrace the change and establish my connections with the global network.
While there were moments where I wondered about my career development, I feel grateful and privileged that KPMG provided me with opportunities to move forward and challenge myself.
What do you think the benefits of gender diversity are to business?
I’m proud to tell you that at KPMG China, over 60 percent of our employees are female, and about 40 percent of our partners and directors are female as well.
Staff, especially female colleagues, are always inspired by women in leadership roles. They are interested to hear of their success stories in their careers and their work life balance, and are motivated to follow in their footsteps.
For example, there is a public Wechat platform set up by a female partner from KPMG’s Shanghai office called 开心莫小莫. It has attracted a lot of attention from staff in the Big Four (accountancy firms) and with other young professionals. The postings about the life of accounting firm professionals and women leaders’ lives are very relatable and inspiring.
Gender diversity benefits business from more engaged work forces, strong cultures and improved performance.
What do you hope to see change to make gender diversity possible?
A lot of campaigns and initiatives are focused on big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and so on. I think more attention and support should be given to less privileged women in less developed cities.
For example, to provide training, technical and financing support for women entrepreneurs to set up and develop their business. Provide more “people to people dialogue” through the education system to advocate gender diversity and equality in schools, especially in those less developed areas, to give the girls confidence, passion and empowerment to change.
What advice you would like to share to other women contemplating chasing senior roles in business?
My advice is to be brave and be yourself. Always keep interested, remind yourself what you really want to pursue and take actions.
As a career woman and a mother of a teenager, my secret in managing stress is to keep exercising. Whether it is a work out in the gym, or a short run in the gaps at work, it helps to set myself free, refill with new energy and stay positive.
