Rakesh Sippy
Summary
Experienced talent acquisition and HR professional with over 17 years in recruitment and HR across financial services and APAC regions. Proven track record in managing diverse teams and executing full search cycles from business development to onboarding. Expertise spans multiple sectors including financial services, tech startups, and retail. Strong ability to adapt strategies to meet organizational needs and drive successful hiring outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Corporate Recruiting Manager
Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Limited
02.2023 - Current
- Accountable for the talent acquisition efforts of the company within the region, covering multiple functions such as technology, strategy & insights, product & marketing, human resources, supply chain, store development & design, operations, and public affairs.
- Responsible for overseeing a significant portion of the recruitment process for the inaugural group of summer associates at Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Limited, commencing in 2022, which has successfully persisted through to 2025.
- Implemented confidential market mappings as well as special projects, including recruitment efforts outside the regional hub.
Human Resources Director
Theta Tech Limited (RioDeFi)
11.2021 - 01.2023
- Hired as the company’s first human resources professional responsible for its global teams.
- Led the build out of various teams within RioDeFi’s ecosystem including its incubators across Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, China, India, as well as the Ukraine.
- Worked with the management team to help roll out various HR initiatives including talent management, HR business partnering as well as transformation & process improvement.
Specialist Recruiter / Recruitment Relationship Manager
HSBC via Allegis Global Solutions, Hong Kong
10.2018 - 11.2019
- Hired as part of the Global Functions (GF) team covering mandates in Hong Kong.
- Led the successful placements of circa 100 executives within risk and finance across all business lines whilst juggling stakeholders locally, regionally, and globally.
- At peak, managed over 50 live mandates at various recruitment stages.
- Active participant of CSR events.
Director
Asia Carbon Search, Hong Kong
01.2017 - 09.2018
- Asked to rejoin the business to support the financial services practice covering the investment banking, sales & trading, research, and asset management sectors.
- In addition to independently executing search mandates, also managed a team across Greater China.
- Helped to build out the white space under C-Suite management.
Director
Broadstreet Global, Hong Kong
06.2014 - 12.2016
- Helped set up the local operations in Hong Kong and was responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.
- Worked closely with Sydney (HQ) in a business development and execution capacity, focused on servicing clients within global markets, asset management and corporate/investment banking
- Built the local team from scratch to three independent billers whilst managing individual topline P&L.
Associate Director
Asia Carbon Search, Hong Kong
09.2009 - 04.2014
- Operated as a generalist within the financial services and insurance sectors focusing on C-suite roles ranging from single country to regional positions.
- Broad and diverse geographic focus, executing searches across North Asia (Greater China, Korea, and Japan), South-East Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia) as well as Oceania (including Papua New Guinea).
- Actively ran the entire search process, covering pitching/ proposals, fee negotiations, research strategy, candidate interviews, referencing, offer negotiations and on boarding.
- Involved in ad hoc projects and training initiatives; previously managed the research function in Hong Kong. Actively involved in internal recruitment, interviewing, and assessing potential hires, ranging from researchers to senior billers.
Senior Associate, Global Financial Markets
Korn/Ferry International, Hong Kong
07.2006 - 01.2009
- Worked as a generalist within the financial services industry, covering all business verticals across Asia executing local, regional, and global projects.
- Responsible for business development initiatives in Hong Kong including working independently on end-to-end research projects.
- Led research teams in managing search cycles and deliverables on cross-border engagements whilst managing/mentoring colleagues in the research field.
- Worked closely with the marketing team to develop and roll out white paper initiatives across Asia.
Vice President
Options Group, Hong Kong
05.2005 - 06.2006
- Focused on global markets/ legal search mandates across Asia Pacific.
Research Associate
Palmer Holt Limited, Hong Kong
02.2004 - 04.2005
- Covered insurance and asset management search mandates across Asia Pacific.
Education
Bachelor of Science - International Management
Menlo College
05.2002
Business Sustainability Management Certificate - undefined
University of Cambridge – Institute for Sustainability Leadership
01.2021
Skills
- Strategic outlook, foresight, and passion for talent acquisition with the ability to drive search processes independently as well as manage diverse and remote teams
- Hands-on, commercially astute with strong influencing skills through a collaborative approach with the ability to navigate the matrix and manage stakeholders internally and externally
- Experienced in various recruitment tools including social media recruiting and ATS/databases
Interests
Anthropology, international politics, sustainability, yoga/gym/hiking, history, travelling, world cinema
Timeline
Corporate Recruiting Manager
Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Limited
02.2023 - Current
Human Resources Director
Theta Tech Limited (RioDeFi)
11.2021 - 01.2023
Specialist Recruiter / Recruitment Relationship Manager
HSBC via Allegis Global Solutions, Hong Kong
10.2018 - 11.2019
Director
Asia Carbon Search, Hong Kong
01.2017 - 09.2018
Director
Broadstreet Global, Hong Kong
06.2014 - 12.2016
Associate Director
Asia Carbon Search, Hong Kong
09.2009 - 04.2014
Senior Associate, Global Financial Markets
Korn/Ferry International, Hong Kong
07.2006 - 01.2009
Vice President
Options Group, Hong Kong
05.2005 - 06.2006
Research Associate
Palmer Holt Limited, Hong Kong
02.2004 - 04.2005
Business Sustainability Management Certificate - undefined
University of Cambridge – Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Bachelor of Science - International Management
Menlo College
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