{"id":13766,"date":"2024-03-07T06:30:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T06:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=13766"},"modified":"2024-03-05T18:23:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T18:23:20","slug":"holland-and-barrett-manager-china-womens-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/holland-and-barrett-manager-china-womens-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Holland & Barrett’s Joanna Zhou on leading positive change"},"content":{"rendered":"

To mark International Women\u2019s Day on March 8, FOCUS is spotlighting female business leaders in the UK and China. Here, Robynne Tindall speaks to Joanna Zhou<\/strong>, China Commercial Manager of<\/strong>\u00a0Holland & Barrett<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Joanna Zhou has been looking after Holland & Barrett\u2019s business in China \u2013 especially its cross-border e-commerce model \u2013 for more than three years. Her knowledge of China and expertise in internationalisation have helped to position the leading British health and wellness retailer to target health-conscious<\/a> young Chinese consumers.<\/p>\n

Prior to Holland & Barrett, Joanna worked in Scotch whisky, tourism, and technology industries in the UK helping British companies to expand their footprint in China. Prior to that, she called Singapore her home for a decade.<\/p>\n

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What inspired you to get into your current industry?<\/h4>\n

My decision to join Holland and Barrett and the health and wellness sector three years ago was not a hard one to make, especially since we were in the middle of the pandemic. It provided me with an opportunity to make a positive impact on society and our global consumers. It has been inspirational to know that my work helps promote healthier lifestyles, reaches consumers near and far, and changes lives for the better.<\/p>\n

What resources have helped you to achieve more and get further in your industry?<\/h4>\n

As the famous proverb goes, \u2018If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.\u2019 As I was navigating my role as the China market expert in a heritage British health and wellness institution, I found it incredibly motivating to speak with industry experts to seek thought leadership and stay close to that network to learn from every business\u2019 success and failure. There is great value in sharing and \u2018standing on the shoulders of giants\u2019.<\/p>\n