Meet the Team: An Interview with Marc Abrahamson

What’s your current role at Millar Cameron?

I work as a Senior Consultant specialising in the Forestry & Agroforestry sectors at Millar Cameron. My primary responsibilities include identifying and recruiting high-caliber professionals for senior and executive roles within these industries, as well as enhancing our sector expertise on a global scale.

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

Having worked in recruitment for several years across various roles and project types, my career has naturally transitioned into the executive search domain. This shift aligns with the skills and competencies I’ve developed over time. My ambition now centres around making impactful contributions to the global Forestry and Agroforestry industries, areas I’m passionate about, while engaging in a wide range of meaningful projects

ABOUT MILLAR CAMERON

What made you choose Millar Cameron?

Millar Cameron's dedicated focus on Africa and other emerging markets initially attracted me to the company. Their commitment to these regions aligns perfectly with my background and aspirations. Beyond that initial draw, what truly anchors me at Millar Cameron is their people-first approach and exceptional work environment. It's a place where support, collaboration, and continuous learning are not just encouraged but deeply ingrained in the company culture. This environment fosters my professional growth and allows me to thrive alongside colleagues who share a passion for making a meaningful impact in developing economies.

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

Millar Cameron is a leadership recruitment and executive search consultancy that specialises in finding leaders and senior managers for roles based in Africa and other emerging markets. Our goal is to provide client-centric, tailored executive search, recruitment, and strategic advisory services. With extensive experience and a research-driven search process, we identify outstanding leaders who consistently deliver results, regardless of geography.

Millar Cameron is unique in their passion for and focus on roles in sub-Saharan Africa and emerging markets. Do you have a tie to these countries?

I was fortunate to grow up on a farm in South Africa that exposed me to the remarkable diversity of cultures and the unexpected pockets of innovation that thrive in such environments.

The opportunity to collaborate with clients who are driving positive change in Africa, creating opportunities for communities to flourish, is incredibly fulfilling for me. This experience has inspired me to extend my efforts to other emerging markets, recognizing the mutual benefit of learning from each other's unique perspectives and strengths. The journey of supporting development across different regions is a passion that continues to drive my career forward.

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?

We follow established recruitment processes while remaining agile in adopting new methodologies and approaches as they evolve.

Navigating the unique demands of Africa and other emerging markets requires a distinct skill set, which I find particularly stimulating to identify and cultivate in candidates.

I value transparency and direct communication in establishing strong foundations with candidates at this level. This approach not only fosters mutual understanding but also equips us to effectively manage any unexpected challenges or delays that may arise throughout the recruitment process

ABOUT THE SECTOR

Is there any one single placement which you are most proud of? Or feel has had the greatest impact on the communities you are so passionate about?

I consider my initial placement in forestry in Africa to be the pivotal moment that ignited my passion for the industry. This was for a General Manager into Green Resources in Tanzania. It marked the beginning of my passion for the forestry industry and introduced me to a dynamic company actively contributing to sustainable forestry development in East Africa.

Off the back of this I have had the pleasure of working with several forestry companies that share this passion and I look forward to continuing to develop this sector

What do you see as the biggest recruitment opportunity and conversely challenge, currently playing out within the AgriBusiness sector over the next 12 months.

There is a growing interest in the forestry sector driven by heightened awareness of climate impacts and the emphasis on sustainable development practices. What's particularly exciting is the emerging trend of investors, traditionally outside the forestry and agroforestry domains, now considering these areas for portfolio diversification. This presents a significant opportunity to collaborate with organisations aiming to expand into or establish a presence in forestry.