Hugo started his career at United Biscuits and spent the first 8 years of his working life in FMCG marketing. He subsequently moved into the media industry. In 1994 he became VP Marketing and Sales with Oxford Analytica (Oxford based Geo-Political Consultancy). Hugo began his headhunting career by starting the Technology Practice at DDA Ltd, an established London headhunting firm. He co-founded NMH Search in 1999 and today focuses upon assignments in Financial Services, Banking and TMT. Hugo has a BA (Hon's) in Geography from King's College, London University and an MSc in Politics of the World Economy from London School of Economics.

How did you become a headhunter?
I was persuaded to leave the consultancy I was working for and become a headhunter. My career had spanned fast moving consumer goods, media and consultancy and I had worked for large multinationals and start-ups. I believed that this broad experience would stand me in good stead as a headhunter.

What sectors do you focus on?
I mainly focus on technology, media and financial services. I started my headhunting career focussing on technology (inc environmental technology) but during the 2001/2002 downturn I started to do more media, professional services (communications and management consultancy) and financial services assignments (fund management and corporate finance).

Do you work for the blue chip companies or smaller non-quoted companies?
Some of my clients are large publicly quoted business and some are start-ups in the early growth stage, for example, in the technology sector we are working for a FTSE 250 fabless semiconductor business and at the same time we are also working for a printed start-up semiconductor business that has only just started shipping product. This model is replicated in the financial services sector where I work for established corporate finance business and am also working for a boutique investment management business based in London and Mumbai.

Do you work mainly in the U.K.?
I currently have clients in the UK & Continental Europe, Hong Kong, India and UAE. This means that I'm constantly moving senior executives from country to country. The big difference over the last 3 years is that I'm spending more time in the Middle East and India.

What do you find is the most satisfying part of your job?
When you find a top quality executive and move him/her to your client you have a sense of "mission accomplished." In addition, having the opportunity to build the majority of or a complete management team is one of the most satisfying things you can do in our industry. It's like putting together a unique, complex jigsaw puzzle with all the satisfaction of finding the pieces that exactly fit.

When not headhunting, what keeps you occupied?
I am passionate about fly-fishing and I've recently got involved with an awesome charity, Regenerate (www.regenerateuk.co.uk), which supports young people in tough areas in London and similarly young people experiencing difficulties in Kenya.