Michael began his career in the Lisbon office of SG Warburg and Bank Inter of Spain. In 1992 he joined the London executive services search firm of Glenn Irvine International. In 1994 he moved to Bucher Rugman and Partners (today Gunderson Bucher Rugman), a member of the Alliance Partnership (API) Search Group. Subsequently, in 1996 he moved within API to become a consultant partner at Dixon, Delves and Andrews (DDA) and was made partner in 1997. At DDA he established the firms integrated energy practice relocating to the USA and opening the Houston office in 1998 and Sao Paulo in 1999. Over the last four years at Forrester Partners Michael has become the recognised executive search specialist within the renewable energy sector. Michael has a BSc in Business Studies and a C.ChemEng.

How did you become a headhunter?
In 1990 I was living in Lisbon working in investment banking when National Power Plc made their first investment outside the UK. The CEO at the time, Mike Reynolds, had the challenge to find an expert capable of structuring a deal with 'agitated' trade unions over sensitive terms of the acquisition hand over. I found this individual and it began from there. The following week a shopping list of executive positions was defined and I changed roles to become a search consultant. Two months later I was on a plane to Karachi working on identifying a management team for the second overseas investment of National Power.

Does the Energy and Power sector remain your forte today?
Yes, but the nature of the market I consulted in through the 1990's has changed dramatically. I knew the power business from its early days of deregulation; then the vogue was big projects typically fuelled by gas and coal. Today almost all my work relates to renewable sources of power, once the poor cousin and today the growth sector of the 'new energy economy.' The other difference is our growing client base from the fund management arena in environmental and new energy technology.

Which specific renewables technologies have you recruited CEO level positions for?
At CEO and Board level we have been successful for businesses in Wind, Hydro, Solar and Wave technologies.

Does the Renewable energy sector attract the stature of entrepreneurs and leaders the likes of which you worked alongside during the late 1990's?
That was an incredible time and it created some outstanding CEO's. The likes of William Kriegel, Bruce Williamson, Vic Fryling and Carlos Riva were all men of their moment and I was lucky enough to work for all of them. It is still too early to tell in the renewables field despite the fact the wind industry alone already turns over $6 billion worldwide and employs 70,000 people, so the most likely entrepreneur is likely to evolve from that sector. If I had to name the companies rather than individuals I would include RES and IVPC as outstanding success stories with great management and a commitment to building winning global teams.

To date I would include Ian Mays at RES, Neil Auerbach at Hudson Capital Management and David Jones at Allianz as examples of industry leaders with a commitment to building winning management teams and creating exceptional shareholder value.

Do you ever see yourself leaving the world of headhunting?
I really don't. What makes this business is the clients you work for and the candidates you meet along the way. I have enjoyed many instances where candidates have become clients. My first ever client Mike Reynolds remains both friend, mentor and client. I guess I have 'roots' in this business and I remain passionate about top management that delivers shareholder value ahead of the curve.

Where is the search business going over the next five years?
Through a period of change. The little black book died in the 1980's, the research model of the 90's is less critical today than it was and in my opinion the future for leading firms will see the search consultant become a trusted advisor to the Chairman, CEO and Board, managing talent in a far more active way.