Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Promoted to her newly created role as Group Executive Customer and People Experience in April 2024, Vanessa Hicks is focused on leading organisational change and shaping values, purpose and culture to drive performance at TPG Telecom.
Prior to this, she served as TPG Telecom Group Executive People Experience from August 2020 and was previously Vodafone Hutchison Australia’s Director of Human Resources, having joined the company in 2006. TPG and Vodafone Hutchison merged in 2020.
“Having worked through two mergers, my greatest career achievement has been leading the values and culture work during the TPG and Vodafone merger to create a unified and engaged organisation. This all took place during COVID-19, which required creative thinking about how to bring people together in a time when no one could physically come together,” says Vanessa.
Her career started in customer operations roles before transitioning into HR in 2008.
“The best career opportunities came from people who believed in me and my potential and presented out of the box opportunities,” she says.
“Working in both operational and HR roles over the years has allowed me to have a deep understanding of the business. This enables me to have a pragmatic and business-led mindset when driving the HR strategy and to contribute to the business beyond my remit.”
Vanessa brings an infectious energy to TPG and enjoys embracing tough challenges.
“Integrity is important to me. Being a role model of our values and striking the right balance between care and expectation are important factors for me in how I perform my role. I am highly collaborative and actively listen to the needs of others, communicating with warmth and clarity.”
Being included in the Global 100 – HR sees Vanessa’s work recognised on a worldwide scale.
“While our organisation is only servicing customers in Australia, the influence from a people's point of view goes well beyond our indirect global workforce in India, the Philippines and Fiji.”
Vanessa strives to leave a legacy of leading the successful transformation of the customer experience by becoming a truly human and customer-led organisation through people and culture.
Level 27, Tower 2, 200 Barangaroo Ave, Sydney, NSW
0403 999 099
vanessa.hicks@tpgtelecom.com.au
vanessa.hicks@tpgtelecom.com.au
tpgtelecom.com.au
Vanessa Hicks
Group Executive, Customer and People Experience
TPG Telecom
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2001–2008
2008–2017
2017–2020
2020–2024
Present
2001–2006: Director at First Choice Solutions, providing consulting services in HR, operations and contact centres
2006–2008: General Manager, Business Customer Operations at Vodafone
2001–
2008
Various General Manager HR roles in Vodafone and Vodafone Hutchison Australia
2008–
2017
HR Director at Vodafone Hutchison Australia
2017–
2020
2020–2024: Group Executive, People Experience at TPG Telecom
2022–2023: HRD’s 5-Star Employer of Choice; AWEI Bronze Employer LGBTQ Inclusion
2020–
2024
Group Executive, Customer and People Experience at TPG Telecom
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
