Faces of HR: Marex's Grace Khew on building future-ready teams the human, intentional, adaptive way

"When I see people and teams develop and enjoy what they do, that is a good day for me and reminds me of why I love what I do in HR," Grace Khew, Talent Acquisition, APAC at Marex tells us.

Human. Intentional. Adaptive. These three words guide how Grace Khew approaches talent acquisition and leadership. She sees the human behind every role, deliberately crafts pathways that align individual growth with business needs, and helps teams pivot and thrive in a world where change is constant.

With a career spanning Asia Pacific and Africa, Khew brings a cross-cultural perspective to attracting, developing, and mobilising talent. Now based in Singapore, she leads end-to-end talent acquisition for Marex as Talent Acquisition, APAC, helping teams embrace mobility, purpose, and long-term growth.

In this edition of Faces of HR, she tells Mary Ann Bundukin how her philosophy informs everyday decisions – from hiring and coaching to building future-ready teams.

Q What does a “good day” at work look like for you, that kind of day that reminds you why you love what you do in HR?

In Talent Acquisition, I often operate at the intersection of hiring and career coaching. I enjoy helping build teams that supports the overall business strategy, while guiding candidates towards roles that support their growth and next chapter. As talent management evolves, success is no longer just about filling roles. It is about hiring the right people and seeing that work enhance purpose and quality of life. When I see people and teams develop and enjoy what they do, that is a good day for me and reminds me of why I love what I do in HR.

Q People often turn to HR for support, but who or what helps you recharge and stay inspired?

I remind myself that we all move through different seasons of life and that today’s realities may not be tomorrow’s events. That perspective helps me stay calm and grounded during more demanding periods at work. Recharging for me also comes from actively maintaining a healthy sense of equilibrium between wellbeing and resilience. It is important for me to acknowledge small wins along the way.

Celebrating everyday progress (not matter how modest), helps to bring a sense of joy and helps me to stay energised, present, and inspired.

Q If you could describe your leadership philosophy in three words, what would they be, and how do these guide your approach to developing mobile, future-ready teams?

Human, intentional, and adaptive. Careers are non-linear and unfold differently across seasons of life. That’s when recognising the human in talent makes a difference. When people are seen beyond their current job scope, they are more open to growth and movement.

Intentional reflects the need to actively design pathway for mobility. Future-ready teams do not appear by chance. They are built through conversations about skills, readiness, and potential beyond the next role. Adaptive speaks to preparing teams for change. In a non-linear world of work, organisations strive when people feel supported to stretch, pivot and evolve over time.

Q As a speaker at #TalentMobility, what is the key message you hope attendees will take away from your session?

For me, strong internal mobility starts with well-designed frameworks. Their real effectiveness, however, lies in how they are translated into everyday talent conversations, creating space for non-linear career movements. Thoughtfully designed frameworks provide the structure and clarity organisations need. It is the right conversations that bring them to life. When frameworks and practice are aligned, internal mobility becomes a powerful mechanism for developing capability, retaining talent, and building future-ready organisations.

Human Resources Online is proud to host the 12^th edition of our annual Talent Mobility conference – an exclusive event that brings together senior workforce mobility and HR professionals to discuss the latest trends and strategies in global mobility space. It will be taking place on 4 March in Singapore. You can find out more about the event here.

I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Mary Ann Bundukin. We look forward to welcoming you!

I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any mobility talent solutions and products, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!