Meet the Team: An Interview with Peter Kadzutu

We sat down with our Senior Consultant, Peter Kadzutu, to find out more about his career. 

ABOUT PETER

What’s your current role at Millar Cameron?

I’m a Senior Consultant and I lead the Food & Agriculture sector in North, West, Central Africa, & South Africa. My role involves conducting sector research, engaging with clients to understand their talent needs and designing talent solutions which will best work with them. Essentially I’m partnering with my clients to be best positioned to serve them.

Why executive search? What led you to a career in this space?

Executive search happened to me but I fell in love with it. I have always been driven by the desire to see people excel and grow in their chosen profession. Having started my professional career in academia, I realised that there was a gap in corporate, in that once one entered the professional space, there was a lot of frustration. Many plateaued in their careers due to lack of proper development. I decided to transition and pivot my career from academia into corporate, focusing on training and development, that’s when I realised that the problem happens at the hiring stage and that’s how I got into executive search and talent acquisition.

How would you describe your style of client relationship management?

It is servitude transactional. I’m here to serve my clients by delivering talent solutions which address their current and future talent needs. This is done through a transactional relationship in that I constantly engage with them, listen, and proffer talent solutions.

ABOUT MILLAR CAMERON

What made you choose Millar Cameron?

The dynamic and versatile leadership team, who when I engaged with them during the interview process clearly outlined the culture, ethos, principles, values, and vision of Millar Cameron. These resonated with my own and I knew I would be a fit. Also the diverse scope of the role, which would enable me to fully utilise my language skills.

How would you describe Millar Cameron and the work you do?

My work is very fulfilling. Millar Cameron is a great learning hub, because the team is so versatile and highly knowledgeable. Each day I have learnt something new from my colleagues. Millar Cameron’s innovative approach to executive search is on another level.

Recruiting for senior management, director and C-suite positions requires a unique skill set. How do you prepare your candidates for the recruitment process at this level?

Recruiting for senior management and C-suite positions is not a walk in the park. There is a need for intrinsic engagement with the candidates as most of them are passive. Communication is key when recruiting at this level - one needs to be a concise and eloquent communicator, who knows how to build rapport and cultivate interest in the candidates. Once you have sold the opportunity and you’ve buy-in, the most important part comes in of candidate management - you need to be on the ball at all times and ensure that you’re keeping your candidate well-informed and updated on the process to maintain their interest. Prepping the candidates for the interview is very crucial as it enhances their chances of landing the role. Continued engagement post the interview is essential and giving the candidates comprehensive feedback will ensure that you build yourself a good network even if the candidate doesn’t land the role you would have approached them for.

ABOUT THE SECTOR

The agri-business sector is key to developing economic and social growth in communities across Africa. Could you share some experiences or stories about your interactions with individuals in this sector? How have these encounters shaped your understanding of the sector's impact on African communities?

The agri-business sector has emerged in recent years as a key driver of economic development and social growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Communities are diversifying and are no longer focusing only on the grain crops such as maize and wheat, but are also trying out other grains such as sorghum, millet, soybeans, rice, barley, oats, rye, and many other grains, as well as going into vegetable farming on a commercial basis. Urban farming has also resulted in the growth of the fresh produce market supply and most products are grown organically which not only increases the yield from the land it is healthier for human consumption. This has seen communities thriving as they are sustaining their livelihoods and also the environment in the process.