Having each lived and worked in the UK and now based in MRG’s Mumbai office, Akanksha Arun [AA], Odelia Rebello [OR], and Sonal Palkar [SP] bring first-hand international experience to their roles at MRG Global, where they often support senior talent with international career moves.
Akanksha moved to the UK to complete her MSc in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations at the University of Manchester while working alongside her studies. Odelia completed her MSc in Investigative and Forensic Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Sonal completed her MBA in Digital Technology and Innovation at Brunel Business School and worked as a Business Analytics and Development Manager at Gold Care Homes in London.
All three spent formative periods of their careers in the UK, navigating changing markets, expectations, and workplace cultures before returning closer to home. Those experiences now shape how they support candidates and clients through senior hiring and international relocation.
You’ve all lived and worked in the UK. How has that shaped the way you support candidates considering an international move?
[AA] Having relocated myself for both study and work, I understand how big the decision really is. It is not just about the role, but also timelines, lifestyle changes, and long-term career impact. That experience helps me guide candidates with empathy.
[OR] Any move can feel daunting, whether it is to a new country or back to your home country. Markets and expectations change, and everything can feel unfamiliar. Being honest about what is available and helping candidates manage expectations makes a real difference.
[SP] Living and working abroad allowed me to see relocation from both a candidate and an employer perspective. That helps me guide candidates realistically while also setting the right expectations with clients.
What do you wish more people understood about relocating for work?
[OR] Work culture can be very different from one country to another. The way teams collaborate, communicate, and manage clients really shapes the day-to-day experience, and people often underestimate this.
[AA] It is also a personal and lifestyle decision, not just a career move. Understanding the realities in advance makes the transition far more sustainable.
[SP] Even when everything looks good on paper, adjustment takes time. Adaptability and patience with yourself are just as important as preparation.
You all work on senior roles across different sectors. What trends are you seeing?
[SP] In real estate and allied sectors, leadership hiring is closely tied to business strategy and market cycles. Clients are looking for leaders who can scale organisations while managing complexity, with cultural fit and long-term vision playing a major role.
[AA] That trend carries across sectors. There is strong demand for leaders who combine technical expertise with communication and stakeholder management skills. Senior hiring today is as much about future potential as it is about experience.
What’s a recent placement that stands out for you?
[AA] Supporting a candidate through a complex interview process while addressing concerns around role clarity and growth was particularly rewarding. Seeing them transition into the role with confidence made the process worthwhile.
[SP] For me, it was an early placement with a new global client. Delivering successfully helped build trust quickly and led to repeat mandates, which is always rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone considering a move abroad?
[OR] If you are even considering it, you are already brave. Building a strong support system inside and outside of work makes a huge difference to how you handle the challenges.
[AA] Be clear on your motivations and do your research. Speaking to people who have made similar moves can reduce a lot of uncertainty.
[SP] Preparation matters, but staying open-minded is just as important. Lived experience will always teach you more than planning alone.
As the India team grows, what kind of culture are you building?
[OR] We want a culture where people genuinely support each other. Collaboration is central to how we work.
[AA] Alongside that, accountability and continuous learning are important to us.
[SP] Ownership, openness, and trust bring it all together.
What brought you to MRG Global, and what has kept you there?
[AA] I was drawn to MRG Global’s reputation and international approach. What has kept me here is the collaborative culture and the opportunity to keep learning through high-quality mandates.
[OR] The support and teamwork stood out from the start, and that is still what makes MRG feel like the right place for me.
[SP] Joining MRG allowed me to stay connected to global work while being closer to home. The trust, autonomy, and genuinely supportive environment are what make me stay.
If you’d like to learn about relocating to India, please reach out to a member of our team: https://mrgglobal.com/our-global-presence/india/