What do you do at MRG?
I am the Business Director for International Search. My role is to work on major key accounts with a focus on senior level executive search and other solutions to our global clients.
How did you get into recruitment and why?
In 2006 I accepted a Sales Executive role with a Construction Building Materials company, selling to the UK construction industry. During this time, I had a few friends that were working in Recruitment and saw them earning some seriously good money, this motivated me to make a change and decided that a move into Recruitment using my already established construction contacts would be a good move.
What are you most proud about that you have achieved in your career to date?
On a personal level, I am most proud of how I grew up in a rough council estate in Glasgow, and have gone on to travel the world. Resulting in me currently being settled in Malaysia as the Business Director of International Search, for MRG People Asia. So in all honesty, I would consider my personal transformation my greatest achievement and being lucky enough to be working with people who are top tier real estate recruitment professionals.
What energises you about working in this sector?
I have always been interested in architecture, general real estate design and large-scale project developments. I also enjoy searching and identifying talent for mega real estate projects; this certainly energises me as I have a genuine interest within this industry.
What’s the biggest thing that’s changed in recruitment since you started?
Technology has certainly changed recruitment. LinkedIn for example has changed the recruitment industry for the better. Also, better software such as ATS systems etc.
What do you think the biggest misconception people have about you is?
I think that when people first meet me, I can perhaps come across as being quite a serious person and not very approachable, but when they get to know me they will soon realise that this is definitely not the case.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
When I left high school, I studied culinary arts / professional cookery and worked as a chef prior to embarking on a career in sales and recruitment. I worked in some prestigious restaurants in the UK and throughout Europe (London, France, Barcelona), including Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Fat Duck.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I’ve been lucky to have received some great advice over the years, some of the highlights would be:
- Find a mentor and do what they are doing; if you find someone who has the results or success you want, then you need to do what they are doing.
- Whatever you do, do it with 100% effort or don’t do it at all.
- Don’t ever stop learning and developing as a person.
What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
Driven, Direct/Straightforward, Humorous
And finally, who would play you in the movie about your life?
Mark Strong
Get in touch with Christopher for an informal chat about how he can help you and your recruitment needs.