Meet Zhang Hui

In the 'People of Stahl' series, we talk to colleagues from around the world about what they do, what makes them tick, and what our purpose – Touching lives, for a better world – means to them. Here, we sit down with Zhang Hui from our Finance team in China, who likes to look beyond the numbers for real-world impact. 

How long have you been with Stahl? What first attracted you to the company? 

I've been working at Stahl for more than 19 years, ever since I graduated from university. I feel like this is a company where I can learn new skills and make a difference in my life and others'. 

What is your role? Can you share an interesting fact about the work you do? 

I'm part of the finance team, where we work on financial reports, oversee the annual budget, liaise with external auditors and much more.  

One of the most interesting things about my job is how challenging it is. Our responsibilities are growing, and we often need to analyse large amounts of data to disclose clear and meaningful financial information to other departments. When my colleagues find the data in our reports helpful to them, I feel like we're making a contribution and not just counting money.  

What do you like most about working at Stahl, and what are the biggest challenges? 

What I like most about working for this company is the people. I really enjoy meeting with my colleagues and working closely together on projects. The company culture is also very positive and inspiring, which makes it easy to feel part of the team. I’m proud of our teamwork in Finance; I can always count on my colleagues' support. 

The biggest challenge I face is managing my workload. There are always new things coming up: for example, in 2012 I joined the labour union. In 2014 and 2017, I was involved in the merger project of Clariant and BASF. In 2023, I joined DEI, and so on. I like working on new things, but it can be difficult to prioritise when projects need to be completed at the same time. To overcome this, I try to break my workload into smaller, more manageable chunks, and focus on one thing at a time.  

How does your work support Stahl’s purpose: Touching lives, for a better world? 

This starts with my own individual behaviours. At work, as well as at home, I'm trying to reduce my paper, printing and electricity usage. I travel by public transport, use reusable bags instead of disposable plastic ones, and avoid single-use plastic lunch boxes and chopsticks. I believe in action over slogans! 

If you were CEO of Stahl for the day, what would you do? 

The company has been growing continuously, which has also brought opportunities for me to develop personally. 

If I were the CEO of the company, I would like to talk to colleagues from each department about their own personal vision for the future and their expectations for the company, in a relaxed environment.  

How do you spend your free time outside of work? 

I like to spend time with my family and friends. We often go to the park or have dinner together. 

Thanks for sharing your story, Zhang! We are proud of our people who make a difference every day and strive for excellence together. Stay tuned for more 'People of Stahl' features!