Globetrotter Rob makes partner

By Dion Teasdale
A FORMER Healesville resident has been made a partner in a one of the world’s leading global business consultancy companies.
Rob Tyler, 35, who moved to Healesville when he was 12 and attended Healesville High School, has been made a partner of Bain International in Los Angeles.
After completing his secondary education in the Yarra Valley, Mr Tyler studied commerce at Melbourne University and then joined Marakon, a US consulting firm.
At the end of three years working with Marakon in Melbourne he moved to the company’s New York office in 1994.
“I wanted to move to the US to get broader business experience and experience living in a different country,” Mr Tyler told the Mail from his office in Los Angeles.
After leaving Marakon, Mr Tyler worked with Trudo, another business consultancy firm, which resulted in him working in places as far-afield as Perth, Prague, and Chicago.
It was during his time in Chicago that Mr Tyler took a Master of Business degree at the Kellog School, at North Western University, which is generally regarded as the number one business school in the US.
At the end of his studying, he joined Bain International as a manager and hasn’t looked back.
“I love the variety of the work I do. I get to offer business advice and services across all types of different industries and I find myself being challenged in many ways on a daily basis,” Mr Tyler said.
“The calibre of the executives I get to work with is exciting, and I get a real thrill from dealing with top strategic people and issues.”
In his day to day business life, Mr Tyler said he can find himself involved with the buying and selling of companies, dealing with large scale investment port folios and reviewing global business strategies.
“I’ve always had a keen interest in working with businesses in the retail, media and entertainment industries, but I’m happy doing anything really,” he said.
“For me it is about being stimulated on an intellectual level and about being driven to get results.”
Mr Tyler, who has been in the US for 10 years, lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Kirk, who he married two years ago.
“Kirk and I have a pretty hectic life with work, but we keep involved with friends and social groups as much as we can,” Mr Tyler said.
One social event the pair attended last year was held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, the venue of the Academy Awards.
“We went to the Kodak Theatre for a fundraising event and walked down the red carpet with Liza Minnelli and the cast of Desperate Housewives,” Mr Tyler said.
“Bumping into stars and celebrities from time to time is one of the perks of living in LA.”
Despite all the globetrotting and hobnobbing, Mr Tyler maintains his links with the Yarra Valley.
“I’ve still got close friends in Healesville and my mother, Val Incoll lives in town with her husband Don. Kirk and I try to get back at least twice a year,” he said.
Mr Tyler said he enjoyed living in Healesville.
“Healesville High School had a great curriculum, and I made some strong friendships when I was there. It is also the place where I developed my love of basketball and the AFL,” he said.
And Mr Tyler had some advice for Healesville High School students.
“Dream big and don’t put constraints on what you can do. There is a big world out there and if you work hard enough you can have whatever you want,” he said.
“There is life beyond Healesville but, at the same time, it is important to always remember your roots.”