Deloitte bolsters Global Future of Work program by welcoming RBC leader Zabeen Hirji

Toronto, December 13, 2017 – Deloitte is pleased to welcome Zabeen Hirji, former Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and member of RBC’s Group Executive Committee as a Global Advisor, Future of Work. Based in Toronto, she will advise the firm and its clients on the changing nature of work—an issue of growing magnitude among Canadian business leaders, governments, educators and civil society.

“Zabeen is a highly regarded and passionate leader whose influence spans the business community and beyond. Her name is synonymous with impact,” said Frank Vettese, Managing Partner and Chief Executive at Deloitte Canada. “She will bring valuable perspectives to the firm on issues of importance to our clients and our country, from rethinking and redesigning their workforce to transforming their cultures to be more inclusive.”

Vettese added, “Zabeen’s commitment to pushing beyond traditional boundaries to improve diversity and inclusion in business and the public sector aligns closely with our own efforts, and we share a common desire to elevate the quality of life of all Canadians.”

Hirji is a well known Canadian business and community leader with global reach, and at Deloitte she will continue to focus on the issues key to the transformation agendas of both business and government. These include the growth of the digital enterprise; empowering people to engage in lifelong learning to remain productive for an extended working lifetime; new technologies, tools and practices to reshape the way people live and work; and reimagining employee, customer and citizen experiences.

“Deloitte is committed to helping Canadian businesses and public policy makers find solutions for these complex challenges so together, we can build a more prosperous Canada—for the next 25 years and beyond,” said Vettese.

Deloitte Canada Partner and Global Future of Work leader, Heather Stockton noted, “work has changed dramatically and we expect even greater disruption. Given the impact, speed and pervasiveness of issues affecting the nature of work, there is heightened urgency to unite key stakeholders and take action to ensure businesses can compete and plan for future growth.”

Added Stockton, “Zabeen has an impressive track record of driving real change. Not only does she bring deep global experience in leadership, talent and culture, she can also build collaboration across diverse stakeholders from business, government, academia, and non-profits to address complex challenges. These skills are critical as we help our clients anticipate and navigate the historic workforce changes on the horizon.”

Hirji said that she was attracted to, “Deloitte’s commitment to Canada’s success and belief that businesses play a vital role in creating a prosperous future for all Canadians.”

She said further, “the firm understands the disruptive forces at play, including how technology is changing the Future of Work, and is helping their clients take action and turn this into opportunities. I am excited by the chance to continue to learn and to contribute to making an impact that matters both in Canada and globally.”

Hirji has had a distinguished 40-year career serving the country’s largest bank. She is a business-oriented human resources leader, having held senior roles spanning Retail Banking, Operations and Credit Cards prior to moving into Human Resources in 1997. She became global CHRO in 2007 and added responsibility for Brand, Communications and Corporate Citizenship in 2011. Over the last two decades Hirji played a lead role in building leadership capability and a high performance, high engagement inclusive culture to drive client value and business performance.

Hirji is active in the community, serving as a Director of the Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance, a member of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto and Chair of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council. She was recently appointed Co-Chair of the External Advisory Board for Inclusion and Diversity, Ontario Public Service and a Visiting Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences & Public Policy at King’s College, London, United Kingdom.

Hirji’s external recognition includes: 2017 Canadian HR Awards, Ivey Business School Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Resources; Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal as well as Catalyst Canada Honours Champion for leadership in the advancement of women and minorities; Simon Fraser University’s Outstanding Alumni Award; and the Women’s Executive Network, Top 100 Most Powerful Woman Hall of Fame inductee.

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