Margot King is a dynamic HR leader with a track record of driving people-focused transformation across global organisations. Now at PwC, she brings experience from MUFG and Eversheds Sutherland, where she led key initiatives including the firm’s global integration and award-winning diversity efforts. Known for her curiosity and collaborative approach, Margot continues to champion inclusive culture and impactful change at every stage of her career.
What is your fondest memory of your time at Eversheds Sutherland?
I most fondly remember the friendships which were formed through working closely on some challenging issues and activities. I was lucky enough to work on the integration of the German business into the full partnership, which gave me the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the firm in the UK and internationally, and also to be part of the negotiations for the combination with Sutherland, which was, of course, a pivotal moment for the firm.
How did you see the firm change over the years? Which changes do you look back on with pride?
The passion for innovation meant I saw a lot of changes in the nearly eight years I was with the firm, from chatbots to open plan offices. As Head of Diversity and CSR, I had the opportunity to drive some of the changes that positively impacted employees. I look back with particular pride on the improvements made in maternity leave policies and promotion processes, which enabled female talent advance into the Partnership and sparked a longstanding streak of recognition with the “Times Top Employers for Women”. Thanks to LinkedIn, I continue to follow how that talent is progressing.
How would you describe the transition from your role with us to your leadership positions at MUFG and recently PwC?
All organisations thrive on relationships – and this is particularly true of Partnerships. The approaches I learned for building relationships and getting consensus for change, and the importance of consistent culture, have been invaluable to me in a long-established Japanese bank – MUFG’s London office opened in 1860! I am sure there are differences between the Partnership model at Eversheds Sutherland and PwC, however, my early observation after a few weeks is that there are many similarities too.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to reach a senior HR position like Co-CHRO EMEA? What do you value most in your HR team?
My advice to people at every stage of their career is to be curious. If you look around you, whether that’s across the floor within your functional team or across the Board table, taking the time to better understand the role that others are undertaking will enable you to add more value in how you perform your own role. What attracted me to a career in HR is that we interact with every team and function in an organisation, so I learn something new pretty much every day. Those in my team who are curious about their role, the organisation, the wider environment and their own development are the ones who make a real difference – both now and in the future.
What is something funny/interesting that people don’t know about you?
Since leaving Eversheds Sutherland I have continued my passion for travel and bought a campervan a few years ago. My kids who were born when I was at Eversheds are now teenagers, so we are making the most of them still being willing to come on holiday with us by exploring Europe in the summer holidays. A couple of years ago, I took some parental leave and we spent a month in northern Norway, then drove home from the Arctic Circle through Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands – a 6,000km round trip!