Harriet Green: What led me to the City? An infomercial headed ‘Sisters are Doin’ It for Themselves’
Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Harriet Green OBE, former CEO of Thomas Cook and IBM Asia, takes us through her career in Square Mile and Me
What was your first job?
Delivering the Gloucestershire Echo, come rain or shine, around my local village of Shipton Oliffe, aged 11. No throwing the newspaper over the gate, I chatted to everyone and loved my job.
What was your first role in the City?
After endless interviews, I got my first proper job at one of the recently started technology magazines, Office 2000 – a spinoff from the Dutch publishing group VNU. I sold advertising space and reviewed many of the latest gadgets at the time, between 1983–84, like word processors. I embraced change and developed an insatiable curiosity about technology, which has stayed with me. There was a synergy as well – I communicated my enthusiasm to potential advertisers and was soon beating my sales targets.
When did you know you wanted to build a career in the City?
One morning, on the Number 22 bus from Wandsworth to work, an infomercial in Working Women magazine caught my eye. It was from a company called the Macro Group, which distributed electronic components to British businesses. The article was headed ‘Sisters are Doin’ It for Themselves’ and it sought applications for management traineeships from women “of integrity, with Deep Drive, who could Sell and wanted to Learn”. I got the job, working my way up from management trainee in 1985 to MD in 1990.
What’s one thing you love about the City of London?
The smell of aspiration, the constant buzz, the Big Deal noise and bustling streets.
And one thing you would change?
I’d like to see the City with more diversity of thought, reflecting the customers and community it serves globally. That there is ubiquitous evidence that if you’re good, you’ll get on, regardless of different ages, genders, races, sexualities or cognitive and physical abilities.
What’s been your most memorable business lunch or meeting?
Chris Thomas, Diploma’s chairman, called me to his office in Bunhill Row for a morning meeting and told me they had decided to make me Macro’s managing director. Then, with all the ceremony of the time, he produced a glass of cream sherry to toast my promotion. It was 10.30 am. I was so excited, but I hated sweet drinks. I came out feeling both exhilarated and physically sick!
And any business faux pas?
During my first major presentation in Shanghai to 2,000 eager employees, I presented my talk in Mandarin, against the advice of my colleagues. My tones were terrible and I’m not sure anyone really understood me, but they appreciated that I tried (or so I tell myself!).
What’s been your proudest moment?
Last week, when I picked my eldest grandson True up from his new big school in London. As class ended, he ran across the playground to me and shouted “BabaKorn you’re here!” I melted and felt strangely proud of the enormous recognition from the little man.
And who do you look up to?
So many people and I have a new heroine most weeks. This week, having just read her book Full English, it’s Miriam Margolyes (thank you Jenny Peters for the gift) – I look up to her humour, insight and gorgeous irreverence! She’s a gift that keeps on giving.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
There’s two. “Whatever level you reach, Getting Better Never Stops.” – Sachin Tendulkar. “Got to keep learning, relearning and unlearning.” – Alvin Toffler.
And the worst?
Work hard, keep your head down, don’t be too pushy and never talk about money.
Are you optimistic for the year ahead?
Hugely – as we learn to augment non-human intelligence with our own, I think the focus on what it means to be human, then obtaining the skills the world needs to work together, is challenging yet uplifting to me.
We’re going for lunch, and you’re picking – where are we going?
Sweetings at 39 Queen Victoria Street. Open since 1889, it’s still playing by Victorian City rules, and that’s exactly why I love it! Its fish is done simply – no foam, no tasting menu – but perfectly sourced. Think West Mersea oysters, dressed crab, Dover sole, smoked haddock with poached eggs.
And if we’re grabbing a drink after work?
The Donovan Bar on Albemarle St, Mayfair. The perfect place to decompress, with the best mocktail and cocktail menu.
Where’s home during the week?
If I’m working in London, I stay at Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair.
And where might we find you at the weekend?
Gressenhall, Norfolk.
You’ve got a well-deserved two weeks off. Where are you going and who with?
My husband at our home in Sri Panwa, Phuket.