What do you do at MRG?
I lead our businesses across the Middle East and Africa from our Riyadh, KSA and Cape Town, ZA hubs, respectively.
The Global practice, currently spanning Saudi Arabia, Poland, South Africa, Australia, and Malaysia, was established to broaden our scope and attract the world’s top talent for our international construction, development, and property clients. My international mandates typically include GCC giga-projects and master-planned community developers, as well as large-scale infrastructure delivery in the MENA region and beyond.
I focus on CXO and executive-level placements within Development Management, Project Delivery, Construction Management, Design Management / Architecture, Project Controls, Cost Management, Property Management, Investment Management and Asset Management.
What are you most proud that you have achieved in your career?
I began my recruitment career in North America in 2013 but relocated back to the UK after five years of living in Calgary. I’ve always been proud of my ability to adapt to new markets and quickly learn how to recruit into new specialisms, markets, and geographies.
How did you get into Real Estate Recruitment, and why?
It wasn’t intentional! I spent my first nine months in this industry recruiting Senior Human Resources roles before a colleague running the Property business went on maternity leave, and I was given the chance to take over that desk. The rest is history!
What energises you about working in the sectors you do?
I think individuals working in property, real estate and construction are fascinating. I find that a vast majority of candidates I speak to have interesting careers, diverse back-stories and outgoing, amiable personalities. When you spend so much time interviewing and meeting candidates, it may as well be with people you get on with and genuinely find interesting.
What do you think the biggest misconception people have about you is?
Probably that I still have short hair. The picture on the website is pretty old…
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I used to Captain an Ice Hockey team back in Canada.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
“Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
Versatile, optimistic and thoughtful.
And finally, who would play you in the movie about your life?
Edward Norton
Get in touch with Matt for an informal chat about how he can help you and your recruitment needs.