Career Advice Career counselling, advice and guidance

Harry O'Neill

Harry O’Neill is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ financial services practice, based in Hong Kong. He is also a key member of the firm’s CEO & board practice.

How do I become a corporate board member?

I’m a Hong Kong-based executive in a large trading company with ambitions of becoming a corporate board member one day, either at my current company or other well-known institutions. Without going into too much detail on my current role, I have expertise in certain financial areas and strategic growth. How can I prepare to make such a move one day? What specific skills might I need and what sort of people should I know? I also read that one good launchpad to corporate board membership is non-profit boards. Is this true?   ...