Halma has been operational in India since 2008 with more than 25 companies operating under it. How would you describe the growth of the Group in this market considering that it (the Indian market) is undergoing such huge changes for the last couple of decades?
I agree with you; the Indian economy has seen enormous change in the past two decades. But change can also signify huge opportunity and Halma, as a global group of life-saving technology companies, sees formidable growth prospects for some of our companies in the areas of infrastructure, safety, healthcare and the environment in India. Halma companies primarily focus on niche technologies within these highly regulated sectors.
Given the group's presence in diverse sectors with one vision, how do you see the role of the Halma India hub evolving?
We see the India hub as a strategic enabler for our companies who have invested sales and engineering resources in India or who are planning to invest in India. The hub has the capabilities to incubate, accelerate growth and scale and be a catalyst for Revenue Growth / Engineering Value Addition for Halma's Operating companies.
Disruption has become the new normal today. And while technology obviously has a role to play in it, it still remains just the tool (albeit a very powerful one). But would you agree that disruptions and digital transformations are more about mindsets first and then about their physical manifestations?
I would say mindset is perhaps even more important, without the mindset to want to embrace change, question the status quo and seek out new ways of doing things, there is no new technology.
Technologies are developing at an incredible pace and companies need to keep themselves at the forefront of these developments if they wish to remain relevant and ensure sustainable growth. For example, devices like Fitbits and other wearable tech that provide personal health data makes us more aware of our health and wellbeing, which can only be a good thing for the wider healthcare sector. The data might not be as good as data from clinical grade instruments but based on the higher amount of data and intelligent algorithms this might be neglectable in future. This technology is shaping mindsets and influencing human habits. And therefore, mindset of companies. Our own ophthalmic cameras from Halma company Volk Optical are connected tech, monitoring and screening for preventable and curable blindness in hard to reach rural communities from Ghana to Bolivia. Businesses should transition from hardware centric business model and adopt more data driven or insights-based business models or services.
Hardware may be commoditised, but the integration of digital technology including AI and predictive technology models is fast becoming the norm.
The B2B space has been relatively slow and late in the adoption of digitization. However, that's where it is likely to be more impactful. Would you agree with that?
The B2B space is a vast category and includes an array of industries, which I don't think you can rule out just yet. Every industry these days is waking up to the significance of innovation and digitisation, and I strongly believe the concept is being well accepted in the B2B space. For example, we are seeing traditional sectors moving into more data driven service-based business models. Halma company HWM, a leading manufacturer of water and energy management technologies, works with their customers to scan water networks for leakages, with data loggers on every device. This is helping water companies predict and prevent water leakages and manage their business in a more efficient way. They are also helping to tackle the global challenge of water scarcity.
Halma's stated philosophy has been about working towards a safer, cleaner & healthier future for everyone. What role is digital innovation playing in this journey? Can you share a brief example?
The world population is 7.7 billion and growing, and Halma's core philosophy is to grow a safer, cleaner and healthier future for everyone, every day. To ensure that we achieve such ambitious targets, Halma and our companies are focused on providing customers globally with solutions that are data and insight driven in order to scale up and multiply our impact. One example that comes to my mind immediately Volk Optical's INview camera. Volk is a Halma company and iNview is an innovative new ophthalmic camera device able to capture wide-angle digital colour images of the fundus using an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. This will democratise access to sight-saving technology.
You have been recognized as one of the Top 100 most influential women in Engineering. What do you consider that: recognition, responsibility, burden or a combination of all three?
It is such an honour to be recognised in this prestigious list with two of my fellow Executives Jennifer Ward and Danielle Barone Soares. I have many female colleagues across Halma, talented, entrepreneurial visionaries are who will help us to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone. They really do this every day - and I am proud to be one of them. I would like to see myself as a representative for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), both among my esteemed colleagues in Halma and in general.
Without being gender biased, do you think women are more suited to take up engineering in today's world since it requires a blend of creativity, agility and multi-tasking?
I believe the emphasis should be on talent and on being inclusive to a versatile range of expertise that can contribute to higher team performance. At Halma, we encourage inclusivity and diversity across the board and across all functions.
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