Our Senior Advisors

The best career advice I’ve ever received is learn the rules of the game – then it remains up to you to decide if, how, and when to play it.

The smartest career decision I have made so far is listening to my instinct about whether a certain path was right for me, and then seeking out alternative views to counter any confirmation bias that this was the right next step. In the end I absolutely chose the right path, but also was better prepared for ‘potholes’ along the way because I had consciously sought counter-opinions.

The most difficult lesson I have learned so far in my career is that sometimes the distance between my brilliance and someone else’s mediocrity is not ‘enough’, so I need to find someplace else to shine.

My favourite quote is the Bible’s Isiah 40:31: “those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

My mum and my grandmother, though both gone for many years, remain the people who have inspired me to be the person I am.

When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be a psychologist when I grew up.

I start my day with gratitude.

If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve kids spending a day teaching adults the fundamentals of fun – young people are the real experts in having fun, finding joy and living in the moment!

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be sprinkling stardust on people, which evokes in them an overwhelming sense of compassion, for others and for themselves.

If I didn’t live in Oxford, UK, I’d live in Salvador, Brazil.

When I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, it really had an impact on me.

The luxury item I would take on a desert island is a goose down duvet and pillow set, with silk pillow cases, for my locs!

If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve adventure, fun and a chance to explore and do as the locals do, topped and tailed with some high quality R&R time.

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be invisibility, so that I could listen and observe without being seen.

When I was five, I was pretty sure I’d be a doctor when I grew up.

When I read Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe, it really had an impact on me. If I was to respond with a business book, then it would be Mindset by Carol Dweck. This is probably one of the books that I recommend the most in my mentoring work.

I start my day by writing my gratitude journal.

If I didn’t live in London, I’d live in Dublin or Amsterdam.

The luxury item I would take on a desert island would be a photo book with some additional blank sheets and a pen.

The smartest career decision I have made so far is to take responsibility for my career and not be afraid to go after what I want.

The most difficult lesson I have learned so far in my career is that without clarity it’s difficult to be strategic and achieve your aspirations.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to treat people like you would like to be treated regardless of where they sit in the organisation.

My favourite quote is “opportunities come to pass” – Jefferson Smurfit Snr.

My dad is someone who has inspired me to be the person I am.

The smartest career decision I have made so far is to take a 25% pay cut and change direction of travel to join the pharmaceutical Industry (after 12 years in academia).

The most difficult lesson I have learned so far in my career is that I shouldn’t compare my journey to others’, as I am on an untrodden path.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to not just aim for the destination but to enjoy the journey too.

My favourite quote is “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” – Robert Frost.

My father (Mr Krishnan Bhaskaran) is someone who has inspired me to be the person I am. He taught me not to underestimate myself.

When I was five, I was pretty sure I’d be a teacher/stewardess/dancer when I grew up.

I start my day by giving thanks for something I am grateful for.

If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve ancient artefacts and animals.

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be to slow down time.

If I didn’t live in London, I’d live in Rome.

When I read the The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, it really had an impact on me.

The luxury item I would take on a desert island is a notebook and pen set.

The smartest career decision I have made so far is to accept a job offer to be President of ICI Brazil in 1991.

The most difficult lesson I have learned so far in my career is to learn from major failure early.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to get a job with the best possible first employer with a high commitment to excellent training.

My favourite quote is “It is not whether you get knocked down that matters, it’s whether you get back up” -Vince Lombardi.

My family, past and present is ‘someone’ who has inspired me to be the person I am.

When I was five, I was pretty sure I’d be a pilot when I grew up.

I start my day by reading and listening to news.

If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve all my family in a sunny destination.

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be to stop global warming.

If I didn’t live in London, I’d live in New York.

When I read The Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, it really had an impact on me.

The luxury item I would take on a desert island is a solar-powered source of music.