MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT

 REBECCA CLEAVER

 Senior Global Business Manager, Client Implementation

HSBC

Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.

Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?

There is no one particular individual who has inspired me, but there have been many sources of inspiration. I’m best motivated when working in environments where visionary leadership and inclusivity play a key role. Working with leaders who can shape strategic priorities and set clear goals, delivering purpose-driven, client focused transformation. As someone with dyslexia, I appreciate that my current employer provides a workplace that celebrates creativity – allowing me to think differently and providing a platform to speak up is both empowering and inspiring.

Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?

Being brought up in an environment where my neurodiversity was not supported, I learnt that we make our own success, and I don’t believe in luck. I have always worked very hard, bringing dedication and persistence to my work every day, challenging status quo, and seeing things through to full completion, including the adoption of delivered solutions to make a positive difference. However, other important contributing attributes for me are building strong relationships (key for future opportunities), tenacity (don’t give up), accepting failure to recognise when being successful, and working with colleagues who are truly invested in me.

What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?

Funnily enough (as originally, I didn’t have any career aspirations —definitely not in the financial industry), I took a debt collecting role temporarily, and have never looked back. I quickly realised that I excelled at problem solving, and the financial industry has provided numerous opportunities to hone my analytical skills— another important contributor in my success. I remember many years ago with a previous employer, being marked down in my performance for being ‘too passionate.’ Looking back, it showcases how limited that perspective was. That experience, however, has driven me to channel my passion more effectively and has shaped my determination to always bring energy and commitment to everything I do, including helping others recognise their full potential.

If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?

Looking back, one thing I could have done differently in my career is to pursue international placements more assertively. I often considered these opportunities to experience different cultures and ways of working, but I didn’t push myself hard enough to make them happen. Additionally, feedback from my advanced leadership programme made me realise that I had sometimes held myself back by underestimating my abilities. Earlier in my career, I could have benefited from stronger self-belief and greater confidence to voice my ideas in meetings, rather than assuming others knew more than me. Had I embraced this confidence sooner, I might have advanced more quickly. Through a life-changing health experience, I learned the invaluable lesson of not waiting for something to happen, and to actively pursue it myself. In addition, the importance of maintaining boundaries; helping others without taking on their responsibilities. These reflections have taught me vital lessons that I now apply in my leadership approach, ensuring I move forward with clarity and purpose.

What was your most favourite job/role and why?

It’s difficult to pick a single favourite role as I’ve been fortunate to have had a diverse career, with each role offering unique experiences. My current global role stands out because of its incredible variety and dynamic nature. Every day brings new challenges, requiring me to pivot seamlessly between areas like communications, strategy, risk, finance, governance, and transformational change. I thrive on the fast pace and opportunity to simplify complex processes and deliver impactful outcomes. I’m privileged that my role provides opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, such as an Optimisation programme and co-chairing HSBC GPS Europe Wellbeing. The combination of variety, responsibility, and the ability to influence meaningful change makes this role particularly fulfilling.

Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?

I have two: The first is “We create our own frenzy”. Much of the stress we experience is self-perpetuating, driven by overthinking and getting caught up in the cycles of worry. We spend too much time focused on the stress itself rather than addressing its root causes or implementing strategies to manage it, we just continue to amplify the frenzy. This insight, gained from a Ted Talk on stress, has been transformative. I’m continuously regaining control, which has improved my daily positivity and productivity. Secondly, “Treat others as you would expect to be treated yourself.” By holding ourselves to this principle of how we wish to be treated, we set a tone for a more accessible, kind, and inclusive environment; one where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.