In June’s edition of Urban Scrawl, we were delighted to sit down with James Fairbairn, executive search consultant at Lester Blades, author of Career Karma and Resume Karma, and a passionate advocate for road cycling safety. Through his work, James has spent decades helping leaders and organisations navigate the changing world of work, giving him a unique perspective on talent, opportunity, career-building in Perth and on what our city looks like from the saddle of a bicycle.
You spend your professional life talking to leaders across industries. What are the qualities that make talented people choose Perth?
We are blessed in that we can offer a very compelling mix of professional opportunity and the best quality of life in the world (in my humble opinion). Talented people are attracted by the scale and complexity of the work here, across so many sectors. It is often a surprise to outsiders that there are many vibrant sectors here, not just resources. Most of all though they value the ability to build a meaningful career without compromising their lifestyle.
Perth is often described as a city built on relationships. How can people who have just moved here develop relationships and community?
I arrived twenty years ago, and very soon realised that Perth rewards people who make the effort to get involved. My advice is to be proactive – say yes early and often: attend industry events, join community groups, volunteer, play sport and follow up properly. Relationships here are built through consistency and contribution, not just introductions or what school you attended.
From an executive recruitment perspective, how has Perth’s story changed over the past decade, and what will define its next chapter?
Perth’s story is continuing to become more sophisticated. A decade ago, it was so often viewed through a resources lens. Today, the conversation includes energy transition, defence, infrastructure, health, education and human services. I believe that our next chapter will be defined by whether we can attract and retain the leadership talent needed to convert these opportunities into long-term civic and economic momentum.
You’ve described yourself as a road cycling safety advocate. What does riding a bike mean to you personally, and what has it taught you about experiencing Perth as a city? In the words of the immortal Robin Williams, “My favourite thing to do is ride a bicycle…. for me, it’s mobile meditation.” Riding a bike gives me fitness, headspace and a very direct connection to my city. It also reminds me that good cities are experienced at human scale. From a bike, you notice road design, courtesy, risk and the small choices that either make people feel welcome and safe or that discourage them from participating.
When you compare Perth to other cities you’ve visited, where do you see the biggest opportunities for improvement?
Perth has enormous natural advantages, not least one of the sunniest cities on earth and relatively flat, but we need to be bolder in how we activate the city and connect people to it. Just look at what London and Paris have recently been able to achieve in encouraging a huge uptake in active transport (people walking, people riding bikes, people on e-scooters etc) without these natural advantages! Better transport integration, safer active transport, better road design that protects vulnerable road users (hint: it isn’t just green road paint) and more awareness by decision makers on how many people this could benefit. About 1.1 million West Aussies ride a bike at least once a year. Most of these are not Lycra wearers on expensive bikes. They are people commuting to and from work, they are kids riding to school, they are parents heading to the local shops, and they are families enjoying life on two wheels together at the weekend. The opportunity is not to become another city, but to become a more ambitious version of Perth.
Riding a bike gives people a very different experience of a city than driving. What do you notice about Perth from a bike saddle that others might miss?
You notice just how beautiful Perth is, far more than you do from a car. A short ride can take you past the river, through parks and quiet suburbs, and out to Australia’s best city beaches. We are so lucky. You also notice gaps in infrastructure, moments of impatience, and a lack of respect at times — and that goes both ways; bike riders need to be respectful of other road users too. Small improvements would make the city safer, more connected and ultimately more enjoyable for everyone.
People who ride road bikes regularly all seem to have a favourite cafe destination, what’s yours in Perth? For weekend rides, Little Picture café in Bayswater and during the week, Mount Street Breakfast Bar in the city.