HRM Asia Watch List 2018: Felicia Teh
- Yamini Chinnuswamy
Felicia Teh’s career in HR can certainly be considered the epitome of “fast trajectory” – she was barely 30 years old when she was promoted to the role of HR director at AstraZeneca Malaysia and Singapore.
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“A lot of times, people have to leave to progress in their career,” she notes. “But in my last two organisations, I have been promoted internally, and it’s been great to be recognised that way.”
She admits it hasn’t always been easy, however. “[The AstraZeneca role] was interesting, as I was juggling my MBA part-time as well – so I had to strike a balance between work and school – but it was very rewarding, ultimately.”
After six years at the pharmaceutical titan, Felicia moved over to another big name, albeit this time in the food and beverage industry – Carlsberg.
There, she started out as the HR Director for Malaysia, where the company is listed on the stock exchange. But within two years, her portfolio was expanded to include the rest of Southeast Asia.
“It’s an interesting challenge because the scope is diverse,” she says. After all, the developing market of Myanmar is an entirely different environment to Malaysia, where the business is more established, or even to Singapore, which is smaller.
“My strategic priority is to build a high-performing culture across markets — to make sure that everyone has the right mindset to win, and that regardless of market, they are fit for purpose and fit for the future,” she says.
In the long run, she’s keen on contributing to the development of thought leadership in the HR sector, but what’s driving her right now is business transformation:
“Because I still have consulting very much in my DNA,” – she started out as a consultant a PwC – “I always feel the need to solve problems and add value. But that’s what will continue to excite me in years to come.”
The HRM Asia Watch List aims to showcase the up and coming generation of HR leadership talent in Southeast Asia. The list will be unveiled daily between September 27 and October 19, 2018. Check the dedicated archive for the latest updates, follow #hrmwatchlist on social media, or see below.
Introduction | Welcome address by Tom Mason
Profile #1: Jaspreet Kakar | Profile #2: Dianne Goette | Profile #3: Chen Fong Tuan
Profile #4: Felicia Teh | Profile #5: Monica Oudang | Profile #6: Evangeline Chua
Profile #7: Agapol Na Songkhla | Profile #8: Clayton Tan | Profile #9: Tony Tan
Profile #10: Vanessa Mercado-Maningas | Profile #11: Jahja Soenarta | Profile #12: Minn Yan
