WIMAR Singapore Member Spotlight - James Hinchcliffe

Authors: Troy Mcnamara and James Hinchcliffe

Founded in 2013, WIMARSG is a mining community that provides networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities to both men and women alike in Singapore's mining and resource industry. Together, we progress through the volatile status quo with inspiring and passionate leaders who come together to become advocates for change.?

With new leaders stepping up on 20th April, let’s welcome our incoming Board members and give them our fullest support in bringing their visions for WIMAR SG to life. Today, let’s meet our recently appointed Vice President – James Hinchcliffe.

For this article, we asked James about his motivations and vision for WIMAR Singapore.?

Troy Mcnamara:?

What motivated you to take on your respective roles?

James Hinchcliffe:

I am passionate about inclusion and diversity. I have been lucky to follow a career I love, but it is also a career where I’ve been in male-dominated environments. I have always been aware of this, and it has always bothered me that the onus is on the under-represented groups to push for change.?

The image of the ‘glass ceiling’ with people having to push up through it is something I disagree with, especially as those people are usually the ones working hardest just to get to the same place as the more privileged groups. The solution has to include everyone, especially those ‘above the ceiling’ who can dismantle it easiest.

One of the key things that attracted me to WIMAR was the understanding that EVERYONE has a role to play in promoting and enabling I&D. I also fundamentally believe that it is common sense from a business and societal view to encourage a diverse set of views as possible. Businesses and societies work best when the full range of views is considered and discussed. This is only achievable if the full range of groups is included.

Troy Mcnamara:

What have you enjoyed/valued most about your time with WIMAR so far?

James Hinchcliffe:

I have met a group of fantastic people. Everyone involved with WIMAR is a volunteer with busy day jobs and personal lives. The passion and dedication are inspiring. I have made friends, had fun and created some of my strongest bonds in Singapore among this group of people. I’m proud to be associated with everyone who puts their own time and effort into promoting diversity at work (and in society more generally).

Troy Mcnamara:

What excites you most about WIMAR in the coming 2 years?

James Hinchcliffe:

WIMAR turns 10 years old this year and has already grown massively. As it continues to consolidate and grow, I see that WIMAR can act to highlight all the positive initiatives within the mining industry in Singapore alongside its key task of promoting diversity and inclusion. My hope is that WIMAR will help to attract new, diverse groups of people into the industry and I hope to see growth in the number of people from under-represented groups who enter the industry and move up into senior roles.

Troy Mcnamara:

What are 1 or 2 key achievements you would like to see WIMAR tackle in the coming 2 years?

James Hinchcliffe:

As part of WIMAR’s team of leaders, a clear priority is to put the organisation on a footing where it can continue to grow and go from strength to strength in the next 10 years. This requires longer-term thinking around the finances and activities it should be doing so as to achieve maximum, sustainable impact as a not-for-profit. I would love to increase representation of females and Singaporeans in the senior leadership teams of the mining companies in Singapore.

Troy Mcnamara:

What advice do you have for aspiring leaders in the mining industry in Singapore?

James Hinchcliffe:

Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. It can take some bravery to do so, but often people don’t consider both sides of the story when making decisions – one reason we see a lack of diversity is because it is ‘easier’ not to confront all the different angles, and there is an aversion to change.?

Businesses perform better when they are challenged with a diverse set of viewpoints and continue to evolve. Alternative views should always be valued, and if presented constructively, they will help businesses perform better. My other piece of advice is very basic but very important – always say thank you and acknowledge hard work. Gratitude costs nothing but can have a huge impact in terms of recognition for people. Always remember to say thank you when someone does something for you!

Are you looking to give back? Drop us an email at [email protected] to join one of WIMAR’s active committees.