The importance of listening and continually learning

Hi, my name is John Cullen and I am a partner in Menzies LLP (HLB UK). 

I also have the privilege to serve on HLB’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Council. I am a New Zealander who ended up in the UK at 8 years old. I was lucky enough to study music at college in the UK but after a short spell teaching found myself training to be an accountant in London. That is a story in itself but no less so than a lot of the paths I seem to have taken throughout my career and life.

Fast forward a decade and I am working in Wales with a part – time colleague trying to develop a business recovery practice. Fast forward some more and I am a partner in a mid-tier firm with some amazing colleagues and team around me. In the words of a song I really like “Well, how did I get here?”

I have never had sight of a long-term goal In fact, I have kept making choices along my journey that somehow have led me here. I am passionate about my job, clients and colleagues. Yet, there are some things that others find easy to do that I do not. Studying is not easy for me, I get bored. And when I get bored, I cannot move forward. The opposite is also true that I can seem to achieve whatever I am passionate about.

In a true ableist way, I thought everyone was a bit like this and I was just rubbish at a few things and really good at others. It was not until the global pandemic and being isolated working that I knew something was wrong. I lost some of my focus.

It was when my cousin was diagnosed with ADHD as a fifty-year-old and I thought I would do my usual focussed research at what that was. I found myself reading about symptoms that reflected almost perfectly who I was. This was the beginning of my own neuro-diverse journey of discovery that continues today.

It is not because of this that I am responsible for the DEI strategy of my firm. I have always been passionate about equality and more recently equity and I was lucky enough to be leading the group that helped form the future of DEI within Menzies.

My goal is to provide an environment that allows people to be who they are and for them to have as many opportunities as they wish to grasp even if that begins and ends at just being who they are. Its important to keep listening and keep learning, no matter where you are on the DEI journey.

Diversity and Inclusion is important

My name is Mariana von-Lucken and I am a partner with the HLB Mann Judd Sydney office.

Diversity & Inclusion is important to me to ensure all members of society are able to have a fair go and be able to sit at the table.

My journey began when my family of four immigrated to Australia from Argentina, when I was 3 years old. Kids in the schools I attended were very discriminate towards certain foreigners, I say certain, as I personally did not get included, even though I pointed out several times that I was also a foreigner. The response was “no you're fine you don’t look like one” (blonde with blue eyes). In my eyes as a young person, I thought that was unfair to judge a book by its cover.

As a female growing up, I did not see barriers to getting to where I wanted to go. Although, I encountered the invisible bias that exists in the world. Maybe I was lucky, that I was strong and appeared confident so was able to keep asking why and not feel like I need to just work hard to get recognised.

In my role as tax partner I want to make ensure all talent is considered equally, yes there are times you have to accommodate people's situations but, in the end, how much better would our organisations and the world look with having a different looking profession catering for all needs.

Turning your passion into action

Hi, my name is Bill Bradshaw and I am a team member of Withum (HLB US). I also have the great privilege to serve as HLB’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Leader. I have spent most of my career in the professional services industry working through various roles; both client-facing and in firm leadership/administration. I consider myself a humanitarian by nature - one who tends to lean in, listen and engage with others to garnish an understanding of how others experience life, the lens through which see things, and ways to enhance the beauty of their interests.

There was a pivotal moment in my career – early on – where I have told I was “too much” and to “tone it down” – not because of my work product, but because of who I am – a gay man. As I type the words to share this story – I am brought right back to that spot, a young 22-year professional, stripped of confidence, and hope, and full of fear that my career would be limited because of who I was/am.

And that’s where my DEI journey began - and I found my “why”.
From that point forward, I redirected my career with a simple moral compass mission – no one should have to feel like I did that day – I turned my passion into action and never looked back. DEI is a journey - and I have been fortunate to work in this discipline for over a decade and pay witness to the evolution and expansion of DEI as a business imperative. 
Quite often I am asked for “advice” on how to get started or what to say. I will leave you with these 2 simple nuggets:

·        Silence speaks volumes. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable – ask for grace and space as you start your journey. 
·        True allyship and engagement begin when you lead spectators onto the field, show them how to lace up, and join you on the journey. 

The importance of hard work

My name is Siva Reddy and I am a Partner at HLB India. I take pride in the professional ladder I have climbed in my organisation which has been my alma mater.

My professional journey started when I was in a dilemma with no visibility on the future, and survival was the only primary focus. However, the desire to do big in life was always strong. An important turning point was a casual interaction with a fellow professional and relative that changed the course of my life. With the right timing and the right guidance, within 3 years of my internship, I could see myself growing in my own eyes without looking back.

I could successfully overcome my challenges in terms of relocation, language barriers and interpersonal skills with the support of a few of my colleagues too. From an inexperienced village chap who came to the city as a fresh graduate with a multitude of dreams to what I am today and more importantly being a part of the organisation building as a part of the management team has been very progressive.

Over the years what excited me was the exposure to business modus operandi and the styles in which each business functioned. I noticed, as the business grew the processes and systems, slowly side-lined and deviated. I loved to wear this hat as an auditor and put them back on the right track and highlight the happenings to the top organisational leaders.

In this journey, I am fortunate enough to work with industry stalwarts and leaders who are playing their part in creating the pride for profession and nation. I feel positive and confident today to be here. It was my wish to pursue a Chartered Accountancy course and due to family reasons and social pressure I had to survive, but there was incompleteness and always worry what would be my future.

I feel I am at the right place, my source of strength is to work hard, prove to myself that I can do it. I am proud that I am part of an orgainsation which is built on unique qualities, values and integrity. My belief is that hard work never fails.