Abigail Viljoen is an EY Partner with over 25 years' experience in Financial Services, primarily focused on Regulation & Risk Management. She’s currently based in London, having returned from two back to back mobility assignments in mid-2022. She initially spent 3 years in Johannesburg, setting up and running the Africa Financial Services Risk Management practice, and that was followed by a further 3 years in the Sydney practice, focusing on Regulatory Compliance, Conduct & Culture and Sustainable Finance.

Abigail and Kate discuss these two mobility assignments and address some of the challenges Abigail and her husband have been able to navigate.

Abigail shares her top tips on being pragmatic, being realistic in expectations, working to be a cohesive unit, knowing the pros and cons of a move, being motivated by more than just career and having an adventure together. All of this should start with early conversations and not rushing your decisions.

Abigail and Kate consider how to plan for the worst case scenario by mentally preparing for the challenges you cannot envisage.

From economic policy to becoming an England supporter rather than a Springbok supporter from facing a 'pandemic' assignment to working out how to 'be' when one person is prevented from working - this episode covers it all.