Mar Morón (FBA 04, Padem 14 Program) studied Translation and Interpreting at the University of Granada, but following her instinct and with a lot of hard work she ended up working in the fashion world. She was in the Purchasing team at Primark, was Planner at Carrefour and Product Manager at Oysho and Üterque. Since 2018 she is the Head of Purchasing at Landmark Group in Abu Dhabi, one of the leading retail and hotel companies in the Middle East, Africa and India.

In 2004 you took the FBA and 10 years later the PADEM. Is it worth doing both?

Definitely, yes! they are complementary, not exclusive. In my case, the time lapse between one and the other also gave meaning to my career, since I studied both at very different vital and professional moments.

The FBA opened my eyes and the doors to the job market, it made me understand that my hobby could be professionalized. I was very young and completely inexperienced and after taking the program I entered the world through the big door, in Inditex. The Padem seemed to me to be a perfect complement, a fabulous "refresher". I loved being surrounded by professionals in the sector, both teachers and colleagues, and sharing perspectives and experiences. 

Sometimes experienced managers do not see the need to take a training program; or maybe they do, in the case of technical training, but not so much strategic training. What do you think is the key argument to convince this audience?

Sometimes we are looking at the picture from too close and we don't appreciate the image, the colors. Taking a step back and gaining perspective is a fantastic way to enrich ourselves. Sharing experiences, working on cases with colleagues... everything seems to me to bring a lot of value and good. I have always been of the opinion that knowledge does not take up space, I was engraved with fire at school and at home since I was a child.

You have always worked in large and leading companies, what are the advantages and disadvantages compared to SMEs? 

As I have not worked for SMEs, I am not sure if my perspective is correct. Subjectively and being the daughter of an entrepreneur, perhaps, job security. I also like in large companies everything that has to do with pioneering systems and programs both in real-time data analysis and digitization, advanced software in general. I don't know if there is so much of that in smaller companies... I speak from ignorance. I also think that everything is more dehumanized in a certain way in large companies and I don't like that so much, although in the end it all depends on who you work for, for what kind of leader.

Until 2011 you worked in Spain. Then six years in Ireland (Primark) and since 2018 in the United Arab Emirates, what would you say to a person who is considering making an international leap in their career? 

I always encourage people to go out because what you gain from an international experience is much more than just work. They are enriching life experiences that make you grow at all levels. 

Do you miss anything in this regard? 

I miss my family constantly, my friends, of course, and life in Spain in general: the streets, the character of things, the idiosyncrasy... But Spain will always be there, I go there relatively often and of course, at some point, we will come back.

You are addressing an audience with which many cultural barriers separate you. At work, is this a handicap in your day-to-day work or does it benefit you in any way? 

It could have been a handicap when I arrived, because I started from zero knowledge. Having overcome the initial barriers, personally, I find this aspect of the business fascinating and I combat this handicap with a lot of analysis, a lot of store visits and trying to listen to the customer as much as possible.

My main market is Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates. In the case of the former, I find it fascinating to be part of the opening up of the country and to accompany women in this aspect. In the case of the Emirates, it's such a hodgepodge of cultures, religions, sizes, color preferences... it's like working for five markets in one. 

What do you see as the three key issues for the industry globally in 2022?

Sustainability, logistics disruption and pricing.

Do you have any professional dream that you would like to see fulfilled?

I consider that I have achieved many goals in my almost 20 years of working life. My focus right now is to strengthen my team and see it grow, but above all and above all, my big dream is to see my son grow up healthy and happy.