Companies expanding across borders often require executives capable of operating effectively across languages, cultures and international business environments. We specialise in identifying leaders with the experience and cultural understanding required to develop business across European markets. We work with US and UK companies who are expanding into European markets.
Fluency in English and one or more European languages.
Experience operating across multiple markets and business cultures.
Proven ability to develop business and manage international teams
We support international organisations in recruiting senior executives, directors and interim leaders for roles where multilingual capability and international experience are critical. In addition to permanent executive search, we assist organisations requiring interim leadership for transformation, restructuring or international expansion projects.
With vast differences between countries in terms of legislation and business practice, lack of communication and misunderstanding are often the reasons behind conflicts, unresolved business issues and underperformance. Yet when isourcing candidates for international roles, most recruitment firms underestimate the importance of language as a skillset.
There is a tendency to over-estimate the importance of English and under-estimate the value of other languages, and nowhere more in the recruitment sector. Where there are important business relationships to develop with non-native English speakers, fluency in a relevant second language and multicultural business experience can be invaluable.
Companies who do not exploit the benefits that multilingual executives offer are increasingly risking losing out on a wealth of potential business opportunities. Businesses can be left behind as competitors benefit because of superior language skills and the ability to establish multi-border business relationships.
One in four UK companies and one in six US companies that operate internationally have lost business opportunities because their employees do not possess the necessary foreign language skills.
Export businesses proactive in their use of language and cultural skills achieve on average 45% more sales (BCOC)
50% of mergers and acquisitions fail to produce the expected synergies because of cultural differences (KPMG research)