Chris Hampden ACMA, CGMA has worked for one of the world’s leading companies – Rolls-Royce – in a number of exciting roles worldwide. Insight editor Adrian Clifton spoke to him to find out more.
Could you tell us about your career so far?
When I look back over the last few years, I realise I have been on quite a journey. I first joined Rolls-Royce in 2004 as an undergraduate trainee, and at the end of my internship was offered a place on the finance leadership development programme.
After completing my degree and then spending eight months travelling, I rejoined Rolls-Royce in June 2007. In my first 18 months on the graduate programme I completed three, greatly varied, six month rotational roles to give me exposure to different areas of the company.
I moved to Vietnam as business development manager in December 2008. This was a unique opportunity to play a major part in enhancing the company’s presence within an emerging market, through the management of in-country business development activities. This was particularly focused on civil aerospace and power generation opportunities.
Then I decided it was time for a new challenge in a new country. In December 2010 I relocated to Rolls-Royce’s marine HQ in Singapore to take up my current role as strategy and business development manager for our marine services business.
I am involved in developing and driving our aftermarket strategy, be that through the identification of new service offerings, M&A activity, footprint expansion planning or any other growth opportunity.
Why did you choose CIMA?
I wanted to study a professional qualification that would enable me to be at the core of business decision making at work. I was particularly attracted by the fact that CIMA has a far more strategic syllabus than other finance qualifications, and could see it would be useful in the real world.
How has it helped your career?
By being CIMA qualified you have credibility in the workplace instantly, especially in the finance community. By completing my CIMA studies within a couple of years of joining Rolls-Royce, I gained some of the vital skill sets that have allowed me to move away from more traditional finance roles into the strategy function within the company.
Having the ability to understand the financial implications of business decisions is fundamental to strategic business decisions. My CIMA studies gave me the tools to support that decision making process.
How have you adapted to the challenge of working overseas?
I think the key to working overseas is to try and understand the local culture, both from a working and a social perspective. Vietnam is an absolutely fantastic country and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
When I first moved to Hanoi I signed up for evening classes at Hanoi National University, and immersed myself in local life rather than sticking to the usual expat community. This was well worth it and the locals certainly appreciated the effort. My Vietnamese, while not completely fluent, certainly helped inside and outside of work.
Singapore was perhaps an easier country to settle into quickly, given that English is the business language and that the country itself is so modern. I actually get a culture shock when I am back in the UK!
What’s it like being a CIMA mentor?
I signed up to be a CIMA mentor for the November 2011 exams. I was allocated a student and supported them with subjects that they needed a bit of guidance with, such as activity based costing.
If you have been through the exams, you can relate to some of the stresses that go with it. That extra bit of guidance can make all the difference.
The mentee gains another channel that they can go to if they need any help or guidance, either with specific topic or with general study skills. They feel reassured knowing somebody is willing to help them should they need it.
From my perspective, it is also beneficial as it gives me more experience in trying to support the development of others. In addition it also helps keep me in touch with some of the topics that I haven’t looked at in a while, which is useful for my CPD.
What’s the value of a management accounting credential with international recognition?
The key for me is access to global opportunities. As somebody who is open minded to new challenges in different countries, knowing that your qualification is recognised globally should make you happy.
I think more and more employers are looking for people with international experience, and having an internationally recognised qualification will certainly open more doors for people.
The new CGMA designation, available to 550,000 members and students worldwide, should provide lots of opportunities for information sharing, cooperation and career advancement.
Links
CIMA MY JOBS
Your additional designation: the CGMA explained
Rebooting business: valuing the human difference
CGMA launch: the human dimension is the future of the business world
Providing global job opportunities: the value of the CGMA
CIMA mentoring scheme