The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: Jiak See Ng

Jiak See has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance, auditing and business, financial and accounting advisory services. She has managed assignments in industries such as F&B, retail, logistics, insurance, property, manufacturing, and hotels. She has considerable experience in M&A, fundraising, business expansion strategy, management consulting, corporate and shareholder restructuring, debt restructuring, due diligence, IPO, RTO, valuation, financial planning and post-merger integration.

Many consultants are talented when it comes to the technical nuances of business deals, but few encompass the leadership qualities to become a leader of leaders.

When Deloitte took the historical decision to merge its practices across more than 16 countries from Japan, China to Australia in 2018, Jiak See took the reins by becoming the leader for the entire Financial Advisory practice in Asia Pacific. She leads a business of close to USD900m, with over 5,000 people across varied cultures, languages, service offerings and successfully transformed it into a single, pan-Asia Pacific practice that shares the same vision. Her cultural intelligence and strong leadership skills contribute to her success in uniting and leading multicultural teams.

What does winning this award mean to you?

"This is an invaluable affirmation of the leadership principles I've prioritized throughout my career: leading authentically, putting people first—both clients and my team—and "paying it forward" by mentoring others and giving back to the community. I believe winning this leadership award is a cornerstone demonstration of not just my professional excellence but a testimonial to clients who embrace me as their trusted advisors. While it is always important that my clients recognize my value, being recognized as one of the world's top consulting leaders is especially meaningful and humbling. As the female board member of two non-profit organizations in Singapore, this award also recognizes my purpose-driven leadership in the community. It brings an obligation that I would personally cherish – to reach even greater heights in serving the community and helping more people."

"Winning this award is most impactful because it is not about me. I would not be here without the support of my mentors, sponsors, clients, and the teams I work with every day. This award validates the efforts of my teams and will in turn motivate them as future leaders. I'm grateful for the recognition and plan to use this award as a platform to inspire others, especially my fellow female leaders in the global consulting industry."

What's been the biggest factor in your success?

"The biggest factor to my success is my ability to positively inspire others to be their best selves and to create high-performing teams that work effectively together from diverse backgrounds and cultures. My team feels encouraged and empowered. As one member said, 'her unwavering energy binds us together as a team and her charismatic leadership has steered us to work collaboratively towards achieving her vision as an undisputed leader in the market'."

"By always focusing on relationships development, whether with colleagues or clients, I have not only been able to achieve professional success but also positively impact people's lives while continuously maintaining a strong vision for the business."

"It is my passion to help others grow and be successful as leaders themselves. I empower a diverse leadership team to work well together by giving them opportunities to excel. For example, when COVID-19 began, I spearheaded Deloitte AP's first-ever virtual Women in Leadership program, connecting high-performing women with executives across the region and providing a (virtual!) platform for other women to lead. I always strive to pay it forward, to mentor and guide the next generation of leaders, to build trust by delivering value. I demonstrate genuine empathy in interactions with every member of my team and my clients. They trust my vision and strategic capabilities when it comes to guiding the direction of the business. This is what makes the difference between being a great consultant and leading great consultants."

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

"I grew up in a small village in Malaysia in a tight-knit Chinese community and family where I exclusively spoke Chinese and barely spoke any English. After high school, I took an unprecedented leap of faith to study in New Zealand, knowing that this move would open doors for me. This was possible because my family, who supported, encouraged, and pushed me to excel, gave me the courage to fly."

"This fundamental revelation—that a solid support structure provides an ongoing motivation to succeed, is something that continues to motivate me to excel today. I strive to provide my own two daughters with a strong foundation, and I bring that same approach to the professional sphere. This focus on nurturing people and relationships has endured over 25 years of constant change in the dynamic consulting business, and it is what keeps me going."

"I am continually motivated by this exciting industry. I can honestly say that after a long career in the consulting business, I've never had a boring day. The dynamic nature of our industry means we are constantly adjusting to change—market fluctuations, technology innovations, regulatory upheavals, human capital philosophies, or a global pandemic—and this means I always need to be a step ahead, constantly learning and adjusting."

"Having the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our practice, our people and our clients' businesses is the ultimate motivation. Leading this business in AP and helping our people grow and succeed keeps me inspired and fulfilled every day."