the hot seat
Justin Hobday, UK Managing Director, Carmichael Fisher
Justin Hobday is the UK Managing Director of international Executive Search firm, Carmichael Fisher. Previously he was Group Business Development Director at Harvey Nash where he spent nearly 15 years, joining shortly after it was founded in 1992.
What advice would you give to Consultants starting their recruitment career?
Focus on doing an exceptional job for your clients and people will value you and want to work with you over many years. In every decision, think about the long term consequences and remember, in the recruitment world, clients have lots of choice.
What’s the greatest challenge facing your business now?
Hiring people who like the rest of the team really care about service delivery and client relationships.
Who is the best manager you have ever had?
When I worked for American Express my first Manager taught me that the world doesn't owe you a living but if you work hard and act with integrity, you can progress quickly. It's been good advice.
Who would you want with you on a desert island?
My wife and children.
What is the main key performance indicator that you monitor in your business?
Whilst everyone in Carmichael Fisher carries a fee target, I am most focussed upon the activity levels around meeting clients and candidates. Executive Search is about knowledge, networks and results. If you meet enough clients and candidates and you have the intellectual capability and passion to gain the knowledge, fees will follow.
What’s been your best business decision?
On two occasions I promoted Researchers to Consultants, unusually against the wishes of my colleagues. Both became huge successes and I took great pride in watching them develop. Leaving Harvey Nash after nearly 15 years was one of the hardest decisions but has worked out to be one of my better ones!
What do you drive?
3 series BMW.
What time do you start work?
I'm usually in the office from 8.00am unless I'm talking to our Australian business which is 6.00am onwards.
