Karl George
Karl Gorge is the partner and head of governance at professional services firm RSM
In one sentence, what does your role involve?
I am part of the consultancy team at RSM. I joined to help develop a new Environmental, Social and Governance team where we provide professional advice and support, and my specialist area is corporate governance.
How long have you been in your current job?
I have been here two years now.
Please give a brief summary of your professional career to date.
I started my accountancy practice some 30 years ago, sold it and then started a governance consultancy. My first couple of years were in employment at an engineering company as a financial accountant and then I started my own business at the age of 23. I recently sold that business and am a partner at the global professional services firm RSM.
Did further/higher education set you up well for your particular vocation?
Yes. Qualifying as an accountant has been a crucial part of my career journey in order to provide the services to my clients through a registered professional practice. My governance accreditation – I’m a fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute – adds to my reputation and so does my honorary doctorate and visiting professorship.
Can online meetings successfully take the place of face-to-face contact?
Not all meetings can be online, but the vast majority of the meetings that I do are, and it has transformed the way I work. Not having to travel the breadth of the country for an hour-long presentation or short workshop has worked well. Also, bringing people together from various locations at the same time has a lot of benefits.
How do you get the best out of your staff?
Being clear about their objectives, checking in regularly and keeping them informed, keeping the work interesting and varied and helping them to work to their strengths. I believe it is important to practise what you preach – your staff learn more by what you do than what you say.
How have your working patterns changed since the pandemic?
Unfortunately the number of meetings in a day has increased considerably and too much of them are back to back. This is something that I am working on.
How many emails do you tend to get in a day, and how much time do you have to read them?
I receive about 30 to 50 emails a day. Some can be deleted straight away without much thought, but others may take careful consideration and response. I reckon each day I am spending about an hour tidying up, responding to, looking for and filing emails.
How do you hope your colleagues would describe you?
They would say that I say ‘no problem’ a lot because I am always willing to help and/or support when needed.
Highlights of your career so far?
There are several awards like the Police Community Award for a peace march I organised, as well as Business Midlander of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, and receiving an MBE.
Developing and writing the governance methodology and it being endorsed by Sir Adrian Cadbury was another highlight, and so have writing books, governance codes and the RACE Equality Code.
Any particular faux pas or embarrassing moments in your career you would prefer to forget?
I had been travelling abroad and got back to an assignment whilst jet lagged. I was observing a board meeting as part of the work that I do and nodded off for a moment and I think I was snoring also.
Pet hates?
Disrespecting time. Not doing what you say you will do.
If you could go back and give your younger self some wise advice, what would it be?
I would have got my financial disciplines in order earlier – saving and investing, rather than spending.
How do you relax away from work?
At the moment I am thoroughly enjoying walking, which sounds weird for me to say as someone who has done martial arts, boxing and other combat type sports. I love live music and nice restaurants.
What do you believe is special about the Birmingham business community?
It is connected, diverse and innovative. There is a strong sense of community and collaboration with sector groups that are supportive.
Tell us something about you that most people probably wouldn’t know.
I am an ordained minister in the church.
You can take one book, one film and one CD onto a desert island – what would they be?
Book – I want to say the Bible but that would be cheating. Let’s go business related, and perhaps something like Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun by Reginald Lewis.
Film – The Godfather.
I can’t say which CD . . . sorry there would be just too many to choose from but it would have to be a gospel medley/playlist.
Your five dream dinner party guests, dead or alive?
Marcus Garvey, Richard Branson, Muhammed Ali, Queen of Sheba and Oprah Winfrey.
What would you choose to eat for your last supper?
If it’s my last supper I would have to get several dishes in. So, I would like: a pre-starter of ackee and saltfish and fried dumplings; a starter that included black cod or Chilean sea bass; a main course that comprised curry chicken and rice and peas; and a dessert of ice cream, custard and a specially made carrot cake.
