Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Hungary in a small and ancient town called Pecs. I learnt, studied, and practiced music from the age of 6 – it was part of my specialisation. Although I went to primary and grammar school behind the Iron Curtain, I learnt English early as we had relatives who emigrated to the United States whom I visited for extended periods of time from the age of 15. Later, during my university studies, I participated in various exchange programmes with UK colleges, mainly St. Luke’s in Exeter. The love of travel and exploring different cultures became natural to me during these experiences. It is no coincidence that throughout most of my professional career, I worked for English and US multinationals as an expatriate employee working in Switzerland, The Netherlands, Russia, Hong Kong, London, Athens and Abu Dhabi. I have spent 20 years working in international Human Resources. I love travelling, I love returning home, and I really enjoy being in transition between the two. I am married and am the proud father of three outstanding boys. Spain also has a special place in my heart. We have a small family place in Mallorca, where I ride, we hike, enjoy the history, the amazing food and wine.
What’s your current job?
I currently work for the TAQA Group in Abu Dhabi as Vice President, Talent Management. The United Arab Emirates is an amazing country, with such diversity and economic and social progress; it is a humbling experience to be part of its growth story.
Why did you choose to study the EGMiM programme?
Before signing up for EGMiM at LSE, I had only worked at one company (British American Tobacco) and although I had exposure to different geographical regions and a fast career advancement, I wanted a change. I wanted to go back to basics: learn and re-learn all the things I experienced in economics and business for which I felt I did not have the foundations, and which interested me more and more despite working in HR. I considered the Executive Global Master’s in Management as a means of putting a framework around my experiences. It was halfway through the programme that I joined my next employer, The Coca-Cola Company, as VP Regional Human Resources.
How has EGMiM benefitted your career?
I joined the first EGMiM cohort at the time of a career break, with an expectation to learn the economics, the business foundations of organisations, and to facilitate my thinking regarding the career direction I wanted going forward. It was at this time, during my mid-forties when I wanted to reignite my professional purpose, gain new insights, and meet a new community beyond the world of Human Resources. This is a lot to expect from a degree course! I have to say in hindsight that all my expectations were met and exceeded. In the EGMiM cohort we learnt a lot about emerging economies (one of my favourite subjects), about the economics of multinational investment, and the strategies of semi-globalisation. Although none of these are HR subjects, they helped me develop a business perspective, and an appreciation of how the gradual capability of talent (the workforce) in emerging economies (my main professional focus) is a fundamental spill over of multinational activity in host countries. The Singapore and Turkey study trips were amazing demonstrations of these concepts. I became more credible in my job as a HR professional equipped with this knowledge and insight, especially when interacting with senior business leaders. I consider this as the most profound benefit EGMiM had on my career.
What is one piece of advice you would give to those who will start the programme next year?
I believe that the EGMiM programme has tremendous potential for anyone looking to grow, not just as a professional, but overall, as a person. You can pause to define the value you want to add, and the passion in you to take it to the next level. Therefore, my advice is to look at the programme from the perspective of a change experience, not just another training, or a degree, but a wonderful opportunity to go beyond your own limits. In addition, I would also emphasise the potential for peer learning. We had a cohort of over 15 nationalities from different industries and personal and professional backgrounds – it was one of the most powerful elements of the programme.
What is your best memory of EGMiM?
I remember I used to enjoy the small project work the most. The gatherings outside classes, where we would debate the lectures, laugh at each other and develop the class presentations. Sometimes this was at the George IV (the local pub), but anywhere really. These memories with Nick Marshall, Pedro Nunes, Michelle Velan, and Lars Larsen are unforgettable. I do hope they have some of the same memories as I do.
What was your favourite module and why?
I really enjoyed emerging economies and micro-economics taught by Professor Saul Estrin. I learnt that an understanding of the fundamentals of business will make you better at what you do, no matter what your profession, or functional specialisation.
What three words would you use to describe EGMiM?
Fun
Comprehensive
Dynamic
In what ways has EGMiM impacted your life or shaped you as a person?
I think that the programme increased my self-confidence and encouraged me to seek out and define the new career phase I wanted to build for myself. I also became more open and curious to learn and explore. Halfway through EGMiM I co-founded a solar energy business in Hungary with my cousin, which has become quite successful. The company had its IPO and went public in the Budapest stock exchange two weeks ago, and although I had sold my share and no longer co-own it, I am very proud of the fact that I was able to use a lot of the knowledge from EGMiM at LSE.