Albert Kahlow, "Quality service is always the key to business prosperity."

Founded in 2012, CGP Group has been building international networks and accelerating the exchange of talent?and skills globally. Recently, CGP announced the opening of its latest office in Dubai, UAE.

To launch their MENA expansion CGP has appointed Albert Kahlow as the Managing Director and Co-Founder to lead the business. To learn more we sat down with Albert to hear his professioanl story so far,?about joining CGP and his vision for Cornerstone Recruitment MENA moving forwards.

A veteran in global staffing industry

Albert has been operating in the international recruitment industry for more than 12 years, in which time he has held senior leadership positions across the CIS, Europe, Middle East, and North America.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Albert has benefited from experiencing multiple regions during his career to date. "I have always been fascinated by travel and learning about new cultures and business markets, which resulted in my first international posting in Russia in 2007. From there I moved on to Kazakhstan, which was life-changing due to an opportunity I had to transition into the recruitment industry. I was then fortunate to complete wonderful assignments in The Netherlands, UAE, Canada and finally back here to Dubai in 2021. My career has been based on building high performing teams that deliver solutions in contract recruitment, direct hire and a range of human resources consultancy services," Albert concluded.

During his career with Airswift, an international workforce solutions provider, Albert specialized in the energy industry including oil and gas, power, renewables, infrastructure and petrochemicals. In recent years Albert led his company's diversification into the Technology sector, with a particular focus on the digital transformation projects that his core clients globally were prioritizing and technology adoption across multiple sectors.

The UAE – a vibrant globalized market

It is widely recognized that the national economy of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has to date been largely dominated by oil, gas and petrochemical production. In recent years the focus has begun to switch to renewable energy and more recently Hydrogen, whilst also vigorously developing a knowledge-based economy centered on information technology.

Witnessing the growth in the UAE and business trends, Albert returned to Dubai in 2021. "I viewed the Middle East as a thriving and reenergized market and one of the most vibrant business hubs in the world. As is well documented the region has already experienced significant growth in recent decades and the plans over the coming years remain as ambitious as ever, with many large CAPEX projects already underway, a thriving start-up ecosystem now in place and increasing population growth. I believe the GCC is the world's most dynamic growth market over the next 5 - 10 years."

A perfect time to enter the region

After successfully establishing CGP in Asia over the last decade, the group was ready to expand its global presence and the Middle East region was a logical next step due to much of their existing client base already operating across MENA, and the rising demand for skilled talent across the region. Upon connecting with the CGP leadership it quickly became apparent to Albert that this was a highly ambitious and well-organized business, which has all the capabilities required to flourish in the region.

"I always believe the best way to truly learn about a company is by speaking to its people, and as I have been getting to know my new colleagues around the group, and seeing new starters and promotions announcements, I can feel that the company is moving very fast in the right way via organic growth and through the development of its people. I also like that it's a flat organization. Decisions are made quickly and practically. And once the decision is made, collaboration kicks in to deliver solutions very fast."

Albert also used the word "people-driven" to describe what he sees in CGP, "it's clear that people are at the heart of everything that CGP are doing, it's all about their people and their employees, and essentially empowering people to flourish in whichever role they are doing and supporting their personal growth journeys."

No secret nor shortcut

Geographically the Middle East is located halfway between Asia and Europe, and the UAE has become the gateway to the Middle East region. Building from our regional HQ in Dubai, Albert has the goal of establishing Cornerstone Recruitment MENA and expanding the business across the wider MENA region. "I think this expansion is very timely, the UAE and wider region has rebounded incredibly well from the pandemic and experiencing economic growth across all its main sectors. Migration forecasts in the coming years predict large numbers of skilled professionals heading to the region, which will of course require high levels of recruitment and mobility support, so we believe the business backdrop presents us with a great opportunity."

Having been involved in the market for many years, Albert feels we are experiencing a period of much needed renewal in regional the staffing sector. The combination of aggressive digital transformation demands, long term government diversification programs and high levels of inbound investment have created the need for a staffing partner that can expertly service each of the key industries that make up the regional economy.

"Whilst the recruitment industry itself is mature, technology improvements and the smart use of analytics are coming into play to make the industry more efficient and effective. However, recruitment will always be a human to human business and excellence and best practice is built on consistent delivery levels and the forming and maintaining of mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships."

Albert strongly believes that candidates and clients ultimately look for a recruitment partner who adds value in an effective, transparent and ethical way. "Talking is the easy part but crucially we prove our worth by our service levels, which is how we build true partnerships, that can grow and flourish over the long-term", Albert said, "there is really no shortcut."

Be a part of the bigger blueprint

The UAE and the wider GCC are now in the early stages of many complex projects that are going to be carried out in the next 10 years. These form part of the regional strategic objectives including UAE Vision 2030, KSA Vision 2030, Projects of the 50 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These mega projects and initiatives will all involve a complex mix of engineering, technology and related corporate services.

"Our mission is simple: to continuously match the best talent to the best organizations. Our aim is to make sure that we're playing an integral role in the regional growth plans by helping our partners – private and public companies, start-ups, government - access the best talent", Albert added, "our task is for Cornerstone Recruitment MENA to quickly become recognized as the go-to recruitment partner across the region."

If you are interested in learning more or joining this exciting journey, please don't hesitate to contact Albert at: [email protected]