Since joining Mizuho in 2011, Harriet Newman, Director, Global Subsidiaries Coverage, within the European Corporate Finance team has seen a great deal of change in both her personal and professional life. We spoke to her about how she balances a successful career with a busy home life, and what opportunities Mizuho has provided along the way.
Harriet regularly travels to Asia to meet clients in her role which is to expand the business with Asian subsidiaries of large European headquartered corporates. “It’s important to meet clients face-to-face in Asia, particularly as we come out of the pandemic”. She explains, “there are complexities that you can only truly understand when you are on the ground in Asia. Often the challenges faced by a corporate’s head office can be very different to the challenges their Asian subsidiaries may be facing.”
“Banking is about people and building relationship. At Mizuho we aim to build long-term connections with our clients and really understand their priorities so that we can best support them and add value” says Harriet.
"Banking is about people and building relationships. At Mizuho we aim to build long-term connections with our clients."
Harriet Newman, Director,
European Corporate Finance team
Having been based in both London and Singapore whilst at Mizuho, Harriet reflects, “I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work abroad and I’ve learned a lot having been exposed to so many different cultures. I believe it’s important to surround yourself with different cultures and ideas.”
The work / life balance
In 2017, Harriet was promoted to Director whilst expecting her first child. She reflects that “it can feel quite daunting. ‘How is this going to work?’ ‘How will childcare logistics work?’ You spend a lot of time thinking about what the best option is.”
Balancing a busy career and home life is not easy, however communication with work and family is vital to ensure this balance is kept. “If something is not working, or doesn’t fit, don’t be afraid to discuss this with your manager. Flexibility is key on both sides and there is always a solution to make things more manageable. If you don’t speak up and ask for it, then how is anyone going to know?”
"If you don’t speak up and ask for it, then how is anyone going to know?"
Harriet Newman, Director,
European Corporate Finance team
Mizuho has been a long-time advocate of a healthy work-life balance, promoting flexible and remote working as well as initiatives like a returners programme, KIT days and programmes like Elevate.
When asked what advice she would give to new parents entering the workplace, Harriet is quick to respond, “finding a mentor to act as a sounding board is invaluable. A mentor can help to untangle the issues that can make returning to work daunting. You can learn a lot by speaking with someone who has been through similar personal experiences.”
Elevating the playing field
In 2021, Harriet had just returned from the second maternity leave of her career. “I was thinking ‘what next?’ and figuring out what my focus and next steps would be when returning back to my role” she says.
At the same time, Mizuho had recently launched the Elevate programme - a 12-month bespoke programme that focuses on increasing gender diversity at a senior leadership level through skills development and training.
"There’s no perfect work-life balance solution – it’s about figuring out what you’re most happy with and what works best for you, your career and your family."
Harriet Newman, Director,
European Corporate Finance team
“Having just come back from maternity leave, the Elevate programme was invaluable. It gave me the space to think about where I was, where I wanted to be and to figure out the best path to get there.”
The Elevate programme offers cohorts access to mentoring, training and networking opportunities with people at similar points in their careers. When asked about the networking element Harriet describes it as crucial. She adds that, “those conversations with other professional women made me realise that we are all facing similar challenges, and that actually; there’s no perfect work-life balance solution – it’s about figuring out what you’re most happy with and what works best for you, your career and your family.”
As a founding signatory to the Women in Finance Charter, Mizuho has set aspirational internal targets for gender diversity within its senior management. “It’s important to have diversity in order to build a good team,” adds Harriet. “Different personalities and backgrounds bring more creativity and a well-rounded team. A diverse team also helps to build long-term relationships and rapport with clients.”