A time for reflection

Wherever you are in the world right now, seasonal change is in the air. Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere and it’s always when I take a moment to plan, prepare and look ahead with a touch more sunshine-driven optimism.

The theme of reflection has been significant for me over the last month. I felt like I followed the sunshine around the world with visits to several amazing teams and countries and in this month’s newsletter it’s the people that I want to focus on.

I recently visited KPMG in South Africa, meeting inspiring colleagues and entrepreneurial clients. There was a real buzz in the air, but also a moment for me to pause and consider some of the bigger societal issues of our past, present, and future. While I was there, Human Rights Day was observed in South Africa and I took the opportunity to spend time on Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years imprisoned before the fall of apartheid. There is nothing more grounding than understanding the personal sacrifices people are prepared to make and the challenges they face to make our planet better for future generations.

On that theme of planet and people, I was proud to see KPMG launch the latest iteration of Our Impact Plan – a comprehensive look back on our progress toward making our own network of member firms more equitable and sustainable. This year’s report shone a light on some of the amazing people we have in countries, regions, and territories throughout the world. Individuals applying their own passion to ultimately drive positive change. One amazing example is Andre Winter from KPMG in Brazil. After my visit to Robben Island, it was really uplifting to see a colleague using his business background and our strength as a leading global organization to drive forward human rights.

On the theme of the Americas, I also visited colleagues in KPMG Panama where I was left with a sense of huge optimism for a region that feels like it’s leading the way in returning the world to a path of sustainable economic growth.

My final touchdown before heading home last month was Florida – the home of KPMG’s US learning and collaboration base – Lakehouse.? KPMG’s global leadership met to discuss our future plans and how the organization can play its part in building on Our Impact Plan and creating more collaboration, growth and – above all else – a more equitable society – following such a prolonged period of economic instability and geopolitical turmoil. There was a sense of cautious optimism knowing that we are on an uphill journey, but we’re making huge progress by working as a team and remaining relentlessly positive about what lies ahead.

On the theme of geopolitical instability, I had the opportunity to speak last month with several media outlets, including Yahoo Finance, about some of the big fluctuations we’re witnessing in oil prices. The highs and lows of a key global industry particularly reflect the world we’re in right now, with long-term predictions increasingly challenging to make.

Despite the ongoing issues facing our world right now, there is a sense of building momentum – driven by a relentless focus in the business world on resilience. Let’s ensure that people are placed at the heart of the return to sustainable growth.