Monday 7 December 2015

James Ford - Life Lessons from Earlham Hall to Singapore

On Monday 7th December, UEA graduate James Ford returned to Earlham Hall after 27 years. James is currently Senior Vice President and General Counsel for GlaxoSmithKline, the sixth largest pharmaceutical company in world, and his career has allowed him to work all over the world. He came back to UEA to give current students some advice on how to succeed in an international company.

Be authentic. 
One sentence that stuck out from James' talk was 'Be smart enough. Do not be the smartest.' While academic strengths are important, they are not the be-all and end-all. When working for such a large company, employees have to show that they can communicate and have chemistry with anyone that they meet. By being authentic, you can be more relatable and accessible to those you work with, and this is vital for any company to succeed.

Learn the basics. 
This seems pretty obvious. It is important to remember, especially in large companies, that there are masses of people who are above you when you are new to the industry. As James put it, you will be the 'snake's belly' for a while. Instead of being bogged down by making coffee and photocopying, take the opportunity to observe and learn how the company fits together and what your role in it could and will be.

Experiment early. 
When James was a trainee lawyer, he took the opportunity to go on secondment in Hong Kong. This was an unforgettable and invaluable experience. This willingness to adapt and throw himself into opportunities is how James started his career at what was SmithKline Beecham. After qualifying, James accepted a job in a private practice firm, with an appealing salary, but soon realised that it wasn't the firm for him. This experience pushed him to question whether he would be better suited in an in-house position and he ended up taking a job at SKB (now GSK).

Take calculated risks. 
Very similar to the above, risk-taking has been a key aspect throughout James' career. Starting out in London, he has gone on to accept positions across the globe, including America, Saudi Arabia and Australia. While James admitted that each time he and his family moved it was a struggle to adjust, he believed it was worth it, and that it made his job more interesting and rewarding. 

Believe in yourself. 
While in New York, James spent a difficult and stressful 5 months completing the New York Bar. American lawyers and British lawyers are trained to think differently, and James realised his potential to 'think both'. Fewer than 2% of the lawyers at GSK have dual qualifications, and this distinction led to James being offered a role in Singapore. This, for him, has been the most dynamic and diverse place to live, and has challenged him as he works in 120 markets and 36 departments. 


Finally, a piece of advice James himself was given: The harder you work, the luckier you will be. 

- Ellie Dobbyne