Colt Mackenzie McNair (CMM), the specialist executive search firm operating exclusively in the golf market and with an established reputation in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, has announced first quarter revenue growth of 35%, driven by an increase in assignments from businesses developing new golf facilities.
These positive results are underlined by mandates to recruit executive-level senior managers and fill operational roles at leading developments across the EMEA region.
Richard Wood, Director of Colt Mackenzie McNair, said: “We are encouraged to see that leading golf developers, many in the process of building new golf facilities, have recognised the benefits of engaging our specialist help at an early stage.
“We are currently working on a number of exciting new projects across the EMEA region. And we see the growth of our own business coming from this increased volume of executive level work, specifically in the growing golf regions of eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and Asia.
“We are, of course, seeing signs that 2011 will continue to be challenging for established golf businesses. However, the current economic pressures have heightened the need for effective and sustainable recruitment as golf businesses look to attract and retain the best people, and our overall outlook for the industry is one of positivity.”
One of the developers that engaged the help of CMM is Nicosia-based S.Z. Eliades Leisure, the owners of Elea Estate in Paphos, Cyprus, which includes a highly acclaimed Sir Nick Faldo-designed 18-hole golf course.
Ross Robertson, Director of Golf Operations at Elea Estate, commented: “Our continuing aim is to create an above expectation experience in everything we do – golf, hospitality, F&B and residences – and to deliver our vision we always require the very best people.
“Using external experts, such as CMM which specialises in human capital, allows us to pinpoint talented and trustworthy candidates who we know are the best people for the job – rather than just accepting someone who is ‘good enough’. Ultimately, we invest in finding the best people that, in the short term, saves us time and, in the mid to long term, will add measurable value to our business.”
In the developed golf market of Portugal, Ivan Livschitz, Vice President of GLA Hotels, and the management company for the Vidago Palace Hotel employed the skills of CMM to source a new Director of Golf.
Ivan added: “The approach CMM took to present us with a shortlist of candidates was very refreshing. We have used other executive search companies in the past, across different facets of the business, but often they have disregarded the brief we have given them.
“CMM’s team listened to what we required, and then pre-selected candidates who all delivered against the search criteria in the brief. Interestingly, they also pinpointed one particular individual who they believed was perfect for the role; their advice was spot-on and we ending up offering this person the position. I was very impressed with CMM’s in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market – they certainly knew all the right people.”
Colt Mackenzie McNair www.coltmm.com