Dr Frances Yeo – Leading change, embracing innovation at ADVANTUM

IN THE ever-evolving world of shipping and logistics, Dr Frances Yeo is an impressive model of strategic innovation and resilient leadership. With over six years at ADVANTUM, Dr Yeo has navigated the complex waters of the industry, steering her team with an eye on future readiness and adaptability. Her recent doctoral work in organisational change and leadership has sharpened her focus on how technology and human-centric leadership can drive success in an unpredictable world – a vision she brings actively to ADVANTUM.

Dr Yeo’s journey into the shipping industry was not a traditional one. Her expertise in strategic planning, marketing, and management led to her recruitment establishing the operations of Assessment Recoveries Limited (ARL), the first demurrage collection company in the English-speaking Caribbean. Though her initial exposure to shipping began with ARL, she steadily deepened her understanding of the field over the years, bringing a unique perspective on how leadership, change, and technology intersect.

Reflecting on her doctoral studies, Dr Yeo focused on how leaders can effectively use technology during crises while building a workforce that is future-ready. Her research revealed crucial traits for leaders facing volatility: adaptability, empathy, and consistent, authentic communication. Leaders must be adaptable and empathetic, especially when faced with crises, her research found, highlighting that strong, genuine communication between stakeholders is essential for countering resistance to change.

Her dissertation also underscored the need for a future-ready workforce in the shipping industry. Dr Yeo believes that technology brings substantial efficiencies, but only if a company’s workforce is prepared and skilled to harness them. Her work reveals that employees at every level must be involved in change processes, nurturing a collective approach to embracing new tools and strategies. The alignment between leadership’s strategic vision and a workforce trained for tomorrow has become one of Dr Yeo’s guiding principles.

During her doctoral research, which spanned insights from leaders across Oceania and the Global South, Dr Yeo was surprised by the reflections many leaders shared about the COVID-19 pandemic. They admitted to becoming “more humane”, an unexpected turn towards humility and trust. “There was also a greater level of trust extended to direct reports,” Dr Yeo noted, observing that leaders recognised the skills of their workforce, allowing for decision-making autonomy that ultimately benefited both employees and organisations.

Dr Yeo has already begun applying her research insights, making her a powerful advocate for change within ADVANTUM. She describes herself as “a better leader” because of her academic journey, adding that she now places even more emphasis on reliable, stable communication with both internal and external stakeholders. In her leadership, she sees the potential for developing a climate of innovation to encourage problem-solving with a human-centred focus.

At ADVANTUM, her research has paved the way for new initiatives and projects aimed at improving resilience and operational efficiency. She sees clear potential for projects that prioritise workforce adaptability, encouraging team members to develop skills that support technological advancements.

Dr Yeo’s motivation to pursue her doctorate stemmed from a desire for growth beyond her immediate environment. “I wanted to challenge myself and explore beyond my current environment learning from the leadership experiences of persons in dissimilar spaces. I wanted to enhance my leadership skills and to be able to support other leaders in their growth,” she said. This, in turn, has enriched her role at ADVANTUM, where she now feels more equipped to guide others, actively listening and encouraging effective leadership.

Dr Yeo advises young professionals interested in shipping and logistics to embrace learning opportunities while striving to contribute meaningfully. “Take advantage of every opportunity to learn but also to contribute to making operations and organisations more resilient and efficient,” she advised. This proactive mindset, she believes, is essential for success in a field where global forces continually reshape operations.