A new executive search company focusing exclusively on the golf industry has been launched to help golf businesses and course developments identify and appoint the best talent from around the world.
Colt Mackenzie McNair brings more than 20 years‘ experience of both the global golf market and the executive resourcing industry to the sport.
Stewart McNair has a background of 24 years of senior banking experience, starting in the City of London at the National Westminster Bank. He is Chairman of The McNair Partnership, which provides an extensive range of executive search services to some of the world’s most prestigious financial services companies.
Richard Wood has been actively involved in the sports industry for over 20 years, during which time he has helped a number of international companies build their brands through sport in Europe, South Africa, Australia and the US. In 2000 Richard founded Colt Mackenzie, which provides strategic direction, sponsorship management and intellectual property creation services to the golf industry.
The company, with its wide network, gives Colt Mackenzie McNair a unique ability to identify senior staff that will have the biggest positive impact on a business – wherever they are in the world.
“We are dedicated to improving the quality of executive appointments in golf on a global basis,” said chief executive, Stewart McNair, launching the company’s new website www.coltmm.com.
“To deliver individuals to interview for some of the best jobs in golf, it takes a thorough, professional and discreet approach using proven executive search techniques. Global golf will need increasing numbers of high calibre people to fulfil its potential over the next ten years and we see our role as helping to identify these people – whether they currently work in golf, or not.
“The golf consumer is far more sophisticated these days in their demands for a better product and higher levels of quality and service. Therefore the golf industry needs to take steps to ensure it identifies and employs the right people to deliver the right products.”
Colt Mackenzie McNair believes it will modernise the way golf businesses recruit their key staff through its creative and highly effective resourcing system – a search and selection process which establishes a client’s exact needs, defines the right type of person required and constructs a dynamic recruitment strategy.
By using an extensive network of professional consultants, in-house researchers and industry specialists – from agronomy to finance, real estate to retail – the company is able to identify the most effective personnel from across the globe.
Colt Mackenzie McNair’s senior team then implements advanced 360 degree assessment methods to establish candidates‘ suitability, availability and interest, before presenting a credible shortlist to the client.
“We are witnessing the phenomenal growth of global golf development – particularly in the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe – and this will present golf’s high calibre people with some fantastic opportunities,” said Richard Wood, Colt Mackenzie McNair executive director.
“At the same time, established golf businesses in the western world must understand that some of their best people will move to these key positions in the emerging markets.
“Colt Mackenzie McNair has the ability to successfully manage both of these situations for a client – either finding exceptional people from scratch, or identifying suitable replacements. We already know who many of the best-of-breed people are in golf, and the precise benefits they would bring to a company.”
The Sunninghill-based company believes its main clients will come from new golf course developments looking to recruit complete teams. But it also expects existing golf businesses to take advantage of its highly-successful methods to attract key individuals to specific roles.
Added Stewart McNair, “Our research tells us that the golf industry does not recruit effectively, perhaps because it gives too much weight to tradition and establishment. However, factors like providing better player experiences, growing profit, driving property sales or increasing spa and short-break stays are becoming more and more important. That is why our search and selection methods extend way beyond golf and into many other industries.”
Colt Mackenzie McNair believes the cost of appointing the wrong person to a senior position can be catastrophic for a golf business.
Added Richard Wood, “That situation is not unique to golf, but it does continue to happen throughout the industry and there are instances where some of the most notable businesses have exposed themselves to risk by appointing badly.
“Of course, we are not suggesting that golf businesses completely disregard their recruitment budgets – but we can encourage them to think differently and consider all of the factors that make finding the right type of senior manager a business essential.”
Colt Mackenzie McNair is also launching a bespoke web-driven tool, CMM Selector, giving golf’s exceptional people the opportunity to register their credentials on its website www.coltmm.com. Individuals‘ details are then passed on to its consulting team.
With CMM Selector running in tandem with its executive search services, Colt Mackenzie McNair believes it is set to make a significant impact on the industry and help transform traditional practices into a proactive dynamic process in which everyone will benefit.