Testimonials

Deborah Burt
Director Human Resources
Zurich Financial Services

I have been a client of Tom's for almost 12 years. I'm also aware of work he has delivered for other clients. HR people like to compare notes. Based on this experience I believe that Tom is Australia's leading expert in the field of change management.

Mary Vallentine AO
Managing Director
Sydney Symphony 1986-2003

I hired Tom in Sept 2001 to work for me as my Director of Human Resources to help the Sydney Symphony through its most significant organisational change since its emergence from the ABC in 1996. The change involved redesigning the organisational structure and changes the culture. The changes were significant, necessary and challenging. Tom’s creative approach included measurement, communication, forums, team building, coaching and ultimately engaged everyone. The reorganisation of the company has been successful both in terms of attitude and performance. I recommend Tom to any organisation facing large-scale organisational change.

John Hannelly
Director HR for Compaq and the new HP
Australia-New Zealand

Compaq Computers acquired Digital Equipment in 1998. At the time it was known as the largest acquisition/merger in the history of IT. A significant challenge facing the MD and his team was how to manage the cultural integration of the two companies. Fortunately for Australia I asked Tom White to stay with the new Compaq work with myself, and our MD, Ian Penman. Tom's first assignment was to project manage the integration of these two great companies. Tom's approach included measurement (pre and post), involvement of the MD and his team, the entire HR team, and a full range of management and non-management people. The strategy was holistic in nature and involved management forums, employee forums, team building, systems and process integration, and learning and development. The measurable outcomes, i.e. attitude and financial performance, was a major success for Australia.

Greg Bourke
Director of HR for Digital Equipment
Now Director of HR for Orange-Hutchinson

I hired Tom in 1993 as a Senior HR Manager primarily responsible for organisational change in anticipation of where Digital was going. Over the next five years Digital underwent wave after wave of organisational change, which was inevitably reflected in strategy and structure. Tom added significant value at each step working closely with myself, MD Ron Bunker, and directors of the impacted business units. Tom's holistic approach always involved measurement and involvement combined with his expertise in project managing and choreographing large scale change. The outcomes indicated measurable success, both attitudinally and financially. His work in helping to create an Australian/New Zealand state of readiness for the Digital's acquisition by Compaq was officially recognised with Digital's world-wide "Customer First" award.

Ian Penman
Managing Director 1987-2000
Compaq Australia- New Zealand

Working for myself and John Hannelly, Tom made a significant contribution to the cultural integration of Compaq and Digital Equipment following Compaq’s acquistion of Digital Equipment in 1998. His holistic approach helped create clear measurable outcomes both culturally and financially. I recommend him to any company facing significant organisational change. I can recall on a number of occasions saying that "his blood was worth bottling".