With a fireworks party in a boat in the middle of Hong Kong’s harbor still fresh in his mind, Scott Clements is back in Minneapolis to take part in another handover as he becomes director of Honeywell’s IR. He takes over from Michael Robinson, who is moving on to be vice president of finance and logistics for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Clements was stationed in Asia for five years, most recently as director of finance for Honeywell’s greater China operations. That makes him well prepared for the IR post because he got to work in several different businesses. ‘A broad understanding of the company comes much more quickly in the international arena,’ he notes. ‘Domestically, people tend to focus on one business unit.’ Besides, international business is important for Honeywell. Already 35-40 percent of its revenues come from overseas, with Asia and Eastern Europe targeted as growth areas. ‘An understanding of those markets – their risks as well as opportunities – is important to communicating the Honeywell message.’ And he’s eager to get out and explain a ‘good story’ and a changed culture that should help attract greater coverage – domestically and internationally. ‘We’re looking hard at our investor base and working towards more liquidity and stability,’ Clements remarks. ‘We also want to use technology to reach a broader audience of individual investors.’
Clements’ background is as varied as his business experience. With a degree in chemical engineering, he got his MBA in international finance and corporate strategy from the University of Michigan.
