Indian Newslink Digital Edition Mar 15, 2016

March 15, 2016 BUSINESSLINK
15
Beca begins succession process across the board
But Chye Heng will remain in leadership role
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
One of the most respected financial
wizards of the country with a long list of
disciples in top positions in multinationals
and large corporates has announced
his plans to slow down and give way to younger
talent.
Chye Heng, who has been the Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) of Beca Group Limited (BCG) has
decided to step down from the post after 31
years, allowing Mark Fleming, currently Group
Director (Finance) to succeed him.
Effective next month, Mr Heng will become the
Chief of the Group Legal Team in addition to be
the Head of the Group’s ‘Employee Ownership
Scheme.’
Beca is one of the largest employee-owned
professional services consultancies in the Asia
Pacific. Established in 1918 with just three
employees, the Group has a strong Asia Pacific
footprint with about 3000 employees in 19 offices
across the world.
Impressive credentials
Beca Executive Chairman Richard Aitken said
that Mr Heng has indicated that he would step
down from the BGL Board later this year but
expressed pleasure at his decision “to continue
beyond that time in a leadership role.”
“During his tenure as CFO, as Company
Secretary and as a member of the Board, Chye
has made an outstanding contribution to the
growth and development of the Group, both in
New Zealand and internationally. His input has
been vital in supporting our growth from a New
Zealand firm of 20 principals to an international
consultancy employing more than 3000 people,”
he said in a statement.
Financial Steward
Group Chief Executive Greg Lowedescribed Mr
Heng as the ‘Steward of Beca’s financial strategy
under five Chief Executives and five Chairs.’
“Throughout periods of global financial volatility,
he has prudently managed and strengthened
the firm’s financial resources; and our executives
have benefitted from his counsel particularly
across finance, legal, corporate structures,
governance and general strategy areas,” he said.
Mr Aitken and Mr Lowe said that Mr Heng’s
contribution extended beyond the sphere of
finance.
“He is one of the original architects of our
employee share ownership and superannuation
schemes; and has been intimately involved
in practically every significant corporate
transaction and development over the past
three decades. He has also long been active in
supporting several key client relationships, which
will continue,” they said.
Able successor
Mr Fleming joined Beca 17 years ago following
an impressive performance of several years at
PricewaterhouseCoopers. A Chartered Accountant,
a Fellow of CPA Australia with a postgraduate
degree in Commerce from University of Auckland,
he brings strong financial experience and
expertise, as well as depth of knowledge to Beca.
“We are delighted that Mark has agreed to
succeed Chye as our next CFO. He has worked
closely with Chye in managing the Group’s
finance strategy, treasury, shareholding and
superannuation,” Mr Aitken and Mr Lowe said.
Something more about Chye Heng
This Reporter has known Mr Heng for a number of years, during which a number of bright young people of
Indian origin have been under his mentorship. He has honed their talent in accounting and management roles,
prepared them to become professionally qualified and full members of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered
Accountant (which became a Trans-Tasman organisation two years ago and is now called Chartered Accountants
Australia New Zealand). They often cite him as their ‘Guru, who brought order and prosperity into their lives.’
As CFO and an Executive Director,Mr Heng has led Beca’s finance and legal teams globally,overseeing the Group’s
insurance arrangements, employee shareholding scheme and pension plans, and has provided direction regarding
governance and corporate structure.
Strong Accountant
Beyond Beca, Mr Heng is a strong advocate of the accounting profession. He is a member of the University of
Auckland Business School Advisory Board, a Councillor and Past-President of the New Zealand Council of CPA
Australia, and contributes as a panel judge for various finance and business awards.
He was a member of the Ministerial Panel on Business Compliance Costs, served as Chairperson of the Auckland
Normal Intermediate School Board of Trustees, and was awarded the 2010 President’s Award - CPA Australia.
Mentoring Leadership
Mr Heng maintains an enduring focus on mentoring leadership talent both within and beyond Beca.His own
mentor and Beca founder Sir Ron Carter believed that skills and intelligence are found in all people and all areas,
and that careful nurturing, guiding and integrating these capabilities achieves the best results possible.
“Successful businesses integrate the diverse skills and creativity of their people to deliver results. Beca excels at
enabling our people across a broad range of disciplines and locations to make a real contribution,” he says about his
Company and its people.