Q&A: Kenny Wu, CFO UNSW Global

What’s the 30 second pitch on UNSW?
Global Training, Global Opportunities, Global Network. We leverage the UNSW brand in delivering world class training and education programs and consult on research and capacity building activities overseas.

Where do you see the university heading over the next five years?
We’re expecting exponential growth and a greater offshore footprint. We’ll achieve this by entering new markets and acquiring new customer segments by leveraging our current offshore infrastructure and delivering new innovative products and services.

What’s the biggest challenge for UNSW at the moment?
Finding the right offshore joint venture partners and navigating through government red tape in each of the offshore locations. We have engaged various external professional firms and consultants to assist in this process.

What’s currently the biggest opportunity for the education industry?
China, India and Vietnam are still undergoing extensive education and training reform funded by both private and government sectors.

What was the career path to becoming CFO at one of Australia’s top universities?
I commenced my professional career with PriceWaterHouse Corporate Tax in Hong Kong and then spent the past 20 years in various Finance roles, predominantly in multinational environments, specialising in Asia Pacific finance. My current role is a natural progression from those previous Asia Pacifc roles

Who’s your hero? And why?
Apart from Mum & Dad, Lewis Hamilton and Barack Obama. Hamilton and Obama are highly focused on achieving the outcomes they want but have credited their success as a result of having a close and loving family environment.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
From Craig Kennedy: “Do your homework” !

What are the skills that you promote and most respect at work?
Transparency, integrity and customer service

What has been your greatest challenge to date as far as your career is concerned?
Keeping up to date with the latest developments in finance corporate governance and tax across Asia Pacific region. And balancing this with delivering one of the most important attributes of a CFO, which is being a business partner.