"The second chance that brought my career back to Singapore"

Native to Italy, Enrico found a new home in Asia after nearly a decade working in Singapore. He had built an illustrious career, with stints at some of the world’s most prominent footwear brands, when his former manager offered him a leadership role in a retail company in Australia.

It was around the same time that Allie Teh, Manager at Robert Walters Singapore, first connected with Enrico to explore a role she was working on. Although it was an interesting opportunity, Enrico decided to take up the offer in Australia. Even though it meant leaving Asia, Enrico was excited about the role and he uprooted his family to begin a new chapter.

However, things took a turn when his hiring manager stepped down as CEO and Enrico’s job scope changed. Then the COVID-19 pandemic came and hit the retail industry hard. Enrico’s role was made redundant. As opportunities in the retail industry dried up overnight, he and his family had to return to his hometown in Italy.

Once holding an esteemed leadership position, Enrico took on new roles in his hometown to make ends meet, but those jobs were a mismatch to his years of experience. “It was one of the lowest points in my life and career. My family and I struggled to adapt to Italy after so many years away. For two years, I searched for ways to go back to Asia and to a professional role in the retail industry,” he laments.

Having stayed in touch with Enrico throughout this difficult time, Allie was eager to help. With seven years of experience specialising in recruitment for retail, Allie sympathised with Enrico as she understood the challenging climate of the industry amidst the pandemic. Determined to help him restore what he had lost, she kept a lookout for Singapore-based roles that might be a good fit for Enrico’s skill sets and experience.

After a short time, Allie found a role for Regional Retail Head, Asia Pacific with a global fashion brand that ticked all the boxes. “The role covers the same scope as the position I held pre-pandemic,” Enrico notes. “It was the perfect match for both me and the company.”

Allie advocated strongly for Enrico despite the hiring manager’s preference for a local candidate, ultimately helping him to clinch the job.

If not for Robert Walters and Allie, we wouldn’t have returned to the place we call home.

Now happily back in Singapore and a sector he knows and loves, Enrico shared, “Allie made it her personal goal to get my professional life back on track after what seemed like a career regression for two years. I’m so grateful that she kept me in mind all these years and reached out with the right opportunity at the right time.”