The recent August POMCCI Breakfast event saw Ashurst PNG host an exclusive breakfast panel discussion, “Building for the Future: Lessons Learnt,” at the Marriott Executive Apartments’ Harbourside South on 29 August in Port Moresby. The event, designed as a networking stand-up buffet, was attended by leading corporate members, industry stakeholders, and decision-makers. With limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis, the breakfast brought together key figures from various industries to discuss their insights on leadership, strategy, and navigating challenges in their respective fields.
The event was hosted by Tureia Sample, Ashurst PNG’s incoming Office Managing Partner Elect. Sample led the discussion in a “fireside chat” format, featuring senior representatives from the resources, telecommunications, construction, banking, and professional services sectors.
The breakfast panel facilitated valuable networking opportunities and provided attendees with insights and strategies that could be applied within their own organisations.
The panellists included:
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Resources
- Karo Lelai
Country Manager, New Porgera Limited
- Karo Lelai
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Ashurst PNG
- Tureia Sample
Partner (Ashurst Australia) and Partner Elect (Ashurst PNG)
- Tureia Sample
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Commercial & Industrial Development
- George Constantinou
Group Chairman, Constantinou Group
- George Constantinou
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Professional Services
- Paul Jenkins
Global CEO, Ashurst
- Paul Jenkins
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Telecommunications
- Michael Henao
General Counsel, Digicel PNG
- Michael Henao
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Banking
- Mark Robinson
Group Chief Executive Officer, BSP Financial Group Limited
- Mark Robinson
Key Panel Discussions:
Resources Sector:
Karo Lelai, Country Manager for New Porgera Limited, shared her experiences leading in the resource sector. She emphasised the importance of vision and leadership in driving success, particularly in the challenging environment of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Lelai remarked, “Leadership and strategy are crucial. Our leadership from the very top in Barrick had a vision. They knew what they wanted to do and drove that mercilessly.”
She highlighted the need for endurance and strong communication with stakeholders, noting, “We made them (stakeholders) feel important. Their voices were being heard.”
Lelai also acknowledged the support of Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited, saying, “We wouldn’t have restarted the mine as successfully as we did without the support of our partner, Kumul Minerals Holdings, every step of the way.”
Commercial & Industrial Development:
George Constantinou, Group Chairman of Constantinou Group, discussed the challenges of succession and the importance of clear communication during periods of transition. Constantinou, whose company operates in the hospitality, construction, and property sectors, employing around 3,000 people, said, “The biggest challenge has been people-based, getting to know the employees and communicating the new direction of the company.”
He reflected on the difficulties of following in the footsteps of his predecessors, “It’s probably more of a relational, people-based scenario, which has been the biggest challenge.”
Professional Services:
Paul Jenkins, Global CEO of Ashurst, provided insights from his 18 years of leadership across 31 offices in 18 countries. He shared the complexities of merging two large firms from different cultural backgrounds, stating, “There were cultural differences and issues about engagement when you bring two large organisations together.”
Jenkins emphasised the importance of leadership and clear communication, adding, “If you can have a strategy that’s on a page, it’s a lot better than a strategy that’s in 20 pages and no one can explain.”
Jenkins also reflected on the challenges of his early days in the role, “There were periods where I was getting in front of a group of, say, 20 Paris partners around one table and having to explain what the vision is and what the strategy is.”
Telecommunications:
Michael Henao, General Counsel for Digicel PNG, shared his thoughts on leading in the telecommunications sector.
Banking:
Mark Robinson, Group CEO of BSP Financial Group Limited, discussed the challenges he faced upon assuming his role. Robinson described his experience of stepping into leadership as akin to “drinking out of a firehose,” particularly in managing the immediate challenges in PNG. He emphasised the importance of engaging with stakeholders, saying, “My time has to really be spent with some very important stakeholders, not the least of which are our largest customers, our largest shareholders, and most importantly, our regulator.”
Reflecting on his leadership approach, Robinson added, “For many people, the CEO just turning up, I realised I didn’t even have to say anything. People were just pleased that I was making the effort to be present.”
The event provided a platform for leaders across diverse industries to share their experiences and the lessons they have learned in navigating complex challenges. The panel discussions underscored the critical role of leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement in driving success, particularly in the unique business environment of PNG.
