Name
Robert Scott
Title
Director, Head of Transportation Asia, Global Corporate Finance
Company
Deutsche Bank AG
Location:
Hong Kong
A brief explanation of your company and where it sits in the corporate landscape:
Deutsche Bank is a leading international financial service provider and one of the largest banks in the world. With revenues of around A$100 billion and roughly 77,000 employees, the bank operates in 75 countries worldwide. It is also one of the leading global investment banks and ranked number one in mergers and acquisitions in Australia and a strong participant in Asia.
Job last held in Perth and when you left it:
Wesfarmers Limited, group accounting division. In 1994, I moved to the eastern States with rowing. Wesfarmers helped me get a job with Ernst & Young.
What is your current role:
I am responsible for investment banking coverage of transportation companies and transactions in Asia (ex Australia). This involves the origination and execution of transactions in the transportation sector including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and equity and debt capital markets issues.
What other roles do you play in your industry or local business community: Since finishing competitive rowing I have been fairly immersed in work but do occasional public speaking and team-building work with corporations and schools. My latest project is to be part of the first all-WA rowing crew (Curtin Rowing Club) to race at the Henley regatta in London this July. I am working hard to get fit to make the team.
Explain how you got this particular job: After Wesfarmers, I worked with Ernst & Young for a couple of years and was then offered a job with Deutsche Morgan Grenfell. I spent five years with Deutsche Bank in Sydney and then moved to Hong Kong in early 2002.
Outline your office culture:
A very dynamic environment, mostly open plan. People travel a great deal so there is a lot of coming and going. Regardless of the time, there is often someone working.
How much commuting do you do:
It takes 10 minutes to get to work and one hour to get to the airport. Most of my commuting is flying around Asia.
Does your job involve travel, if so how much, where to and to what purpose:
I travel around the region most weeks. Common destinations include Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei. I am away from Hong Kong around 100 plus days a year.
How well did your work in Perth equip you for your current job:
Starting my career at Wesfarmers provided me with a perspective of how
successful companies operate. With investment banking, it also helps to understand what it is like “on the other side”. My sporting career in Perth was equally important. (Indeed, Mr Scott is an Olympic silver medallist, was WA Sports Star of the Year in 1996 and a King’s Cup Winner in 1999.)
Can you see yourself returning to Perth, if so how long and under what circumstances: Liz (my wife, Liz Weekes) and I have talked about moving back eventually but timing is uncertain. The challenge is finding the right job opportunity in my industry. It will also be hard to leave the Hong Kong tax system.
What is your email address: robert.scott@db.com