--- title: Building leadership capability across one of Central Africa’s leading diversified business groups | Millar Cameron description: Discover how Millar Cameron enhanced leadership capability for a leading Congolese business group, addressing unique challenges in executive recruitment. image: https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1383162773.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/building-leadership-capability-across-one-of-central-africas-leading-diversified-business-groups#main-content) [Home](https://millarcameron.com/) - [Solutions keyboard\_arrow\_down](https://millarcameron.com/all-solutions) - [Hire](https://millarcameron.com/solutions/hire) - [Find & Engage](https://millarcameron.com/solutions/find-and-engage) - [Assess](https://millarcameron.com/solutions/assess) - [Consult](https://millarcameron.com/solutions/consult) - [Explore Solutions](https://millarcameron.com/all-solutions) - [Sectors keyboard\_arrow\_down](https://millarcameron.com/all-sectors) - [Food & Agriculture](https://millarcameron.com/sector/food-and-agriculture) - [International Development](https://millarcameron.com/sector/international-development) - [Technology](https://millarcameron.com/sector/technology) - [Industrial](https://millarcameron.com/sector/industrial) - [Power & Infrastructure](https://millarcameron.com/sector/power-and-infrastructure) - [Finance & Investment](https://millarcameron.com/sector/finance-and-investment) - [Explore Sectors](https://millarcameron.com/all-sectors) - [Latest Jobs](https://millarcameron.com/latest-job-vacancies) - [Resources](https://millarcameron.com/resources) - About keyboard\_arrow\_down - [Why Choose Millar Cameron](https://millarcameron.com/why-choose-millar-cameron) - [About Millar Cameron](https://millarcameron.com/about) - [Our Team](https://millarcameron.com/our-team) - [Contact](https://millarcameron.com/contact-us) # Building leadership capability across one of Central Africa’s leading diversified business groups Discover how Millar Cameron enhanced leadership capability for a leading Congolese business group, addressing unique challenges in executive recruitment. [![](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/Rachael%20Playground%20Images%20used/team%20photos/Conor.jpg?noresize) Written by: Conor O'Callaghan](https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/author/conor-ocallaghan) ![Building leadership capability across one of Central Africa’s leading diversified business groups](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1383162773.jpeg?noresize) ## About A diversified Congolese business group operating across multiple industries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) approached Millar Cameron to support its executive recruitment needs across a portfolio of operating companies spanning telecommunications, logistics, agriculture, FMCG, manufacturing and forestry. Its operations span much of the DRC, and Millar Cameron was tasked with sourcing leadership talent for businesses in locations including Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Kisangani.   ## The challenge Operating across the Democratic Republic of the Congo presents a distinctive set of talent challenges. Perceptions of the country can deter otherwise highly suitable executives from considering opportunities, making it essential to provide candidates with a balanced and informed understanding of both the realities of living and working in the DRC and the professional opportunities it can offer. The Group’s operating model added another layer of complexity. The Chairman and Board give the leadership teams of individual operating entities significant autonomy and strategic responsibility. As a result, identifying executives with the right technical credentials was only part of the challenge. Successful candidates also needed the judgement, resilience and leadership style to thrive within highly entrepreneurial and autonomous environments. The breadth of the Group’s portfolio meant that no two assignments were the same. Telecommunications, logistics, agriculture, FMCG, manufacturing and forestry each required different sector knowledge, functional expertise and leadership profiles, while appointments still needed to reflect the culture and expectations of the wider Group. This was compounded by a complex stakeholder environment. Searches could involve the Group’s ownership, Board members and leadership teams within individual operating companies, requiring careful stakeholder management and a clear understanding of where responsibilities and decision-making sat. Finally, accessing the right talent required creativity. The strongest candidates needed to combine technical expertise, leadership capability, regional or emerging-market experience, cultural adaptability and French-language capability, alongside a genuine willingness to relocate to and build a career in the DRC. > Communication was excellent throughout, and I particularly valued the advice and support around the interview and relocation process. The experience felt personal, professional and transparent from beginning to end. I would have no hesitation in recommending Millar Cameron to other senior executives considering their next career move.   ## Track record Recent appointments, within the last year include: Brewing – Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Brewer, Purchasing Director Telecommunications – Chief Technology Officer Agribusiness – Chief Operating Officer, Director of Milling, Estates Director Pharmaceuticals – Managing Director Logistics – Chief Executive Officer, Head of Warehousing, Commercial Director   ## Why Millar Cameron The Group’s relationship with Millar Cameron has developed over more than a decade, during which we have supported leadership appointments across its portfolio of operating businesses. That longevity gives us something particularly valuable: institutional knowledge. We understand not only the Group and its shareholders, but also the different cultures, leadership dynamics and commercial priorities of its individual operating companies. This enables us to approach each mandate with context from the outset, rather than treating every appointment as an isolated search. Our experience recruiting across Africa gives us access to extensive regional and international talent networks, including senior Francophone executives and individuals with experience operating successfully in complex and emerging markets. Importantly, we understand that experience on paper does not necessarily translate into success on the ground. Our assessment therefore goes beyond technical capability to consider leadership style, adaptability, resilience, cultural fit and an individual’s ability to operate with significant autonomy. Our in-house French-language capability allows us to engage and assess candidates in their preferred language, while our understanding of the DRC enables us to have informed and credible conversations with executives who may initially have reservations about relocating. Over time, this combination of market knowledge, candidate access, assessment capability and deep understanding of the Group has enabled us to provide continuity across very different leadership mandates and operating environments.   > We have worked with Millar Cameron on a number of senior leadership appointments > and have consistently been impressed by the quality of their work. They take the time to really understand our business, culture and what we need from an individual, rather than simply matching candidates to a job description. Their knowledge of the market and ability to access high-calibre candidates has resulted in strong, well-considered shortlists, while communication throughout each search has always been clear and transparent. We see Millar Cameron as a trusted partner and would have no hesitation in working with them again on future leadership appointments.   ## The solution Our approach has been tailored to the requirements of each operating company while drawing on our accumulated understanding of the wider Group. At the outset of each mandate, we work closely with the relevant stakeholders to understand the commercial context behind the appointment, the objectives of the role and the leadership characteristics required to succeed. This allows us to build a candidate profile that considers not only technical and sector experience, but also the individual’s ability to operate effectively within the Group’s entrepreneurial and autonomous culture. Our research combines targeted executive search with our established networks across Africa and internationally. Rather than limiting searches to executives already operating in the DRC, we identify talent across relevant markets and sectors, assessing an individual’s transferable experience and appetite for the opportunity. Candidate engagement is equally important. We provide executives with a realistic and informed picture of the business, the opportunity and life in the DRC, allowing them and, where relevant, their families to make considered decisions about relocation. Throughout each assignment, we act as an intermediary between candidates and the Group’s stakeholders, maintaining clear communication, managing expectations and ensuring alignment as the search progresses.   ## The outcome What began as support on individual leadership appointments has developed into a long term partnership spanning more than a decade and multiple businesses within the Group. During this time, Millar Cameron has supported executive recruitment across the Group’s diverse operating portfolio, helping its businesses access leadership talent from within Africa and internationally. The continued relationship is perhaps the strongest measure of the partnership’s success. As the Group has evolved and its leadership requirements have changed, we have continued to be entrusted with strategically important appointments across its operating companies. Our work has also built a growing body of knowledge around the characteristics required to succeed within the Group. This means each new assignment benefits from the experience of those that came before it, enabling increasingly nuanced candidate identification and assessment. Ultimately, our role has extended beyond filling individual vacancies. We have helped the Group build leadership capability across a diverse portfolio of businesses, supporting its ability to operate and grow in one of Africa’s most complex and opportunity rich markets.   > Millar Cameron were excellent throughout the entire process. From our first conversation, they took the time to understand my experience, motivations and what I was looking for in my next role. They provided a very clear and honest picture of both the opportunity and the organisation, and I felt well informed at every stage.   ## Share: - [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/building-leadership-capability-across-one-of-central-africas-leading-diversified-business-groups) - [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/building-leadership-capability-across-one-of-central-africas-leading-diversified-business-groups) - [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/building-leadership-capability-across-one-of-central-africas-leading-diversified-business-groups) About the Author ![Conor O'Callaghan](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/Rachael%20Playground%20Images%20used/team%20photos/Conor.jpg) [Conor O'Callaghan](https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/author/conor-ocallaghan) [View LinkedIn profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/conoroc/) Conor O'Callaghan is the Founder and Managing Partner of Millar Cameron, an executive search firm specialising in leadership recruitment across emerging markets. With more than 30 years' experience in executive recruitment, he has spent the past 19 years focused on identifying and placing senior leaders across Africa. Conor has led C-suite and board-level appointments across a broad range of sectors, including private equity, agriculture, consumer goods, forestry, international development, and technology. He has built a reputation for partnering with organisations to identify transformational leaders capable of driving growth and long-term impact in complex and fast-evolving markets. He holds a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Portsmouth and the University of Mariano Gálvez in Guatemala. Alongside his professional career, Conor is actively involved in education and community development. He is a Trustee of the Merchant Taylors' Oxfordshire Academy Trust and serves on the Walter Bigg Foundation, which supports young people in his local community. He is also a committed advocate for offender rehabilitation and has dedicated more than 22 years to mentoring and supporting individuals within the prison system. ## Related Articles ## [![EFT Corporation appoints a Group CFO to drive growth across Africa's fintech landscape](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/Rachael%20Playground%20Images%20used/Case%20study%20images/shutterstock_1205472688%20(1).jpg?noresize) EFT Corporation appoints a Group CFO to drive growth across Africa's fintech landscape Case studies](https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/case-studies/eft-corporation) ## [![Executive search for multiple roles with a rapidly growing Raxio](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/Rachael%20Playground%20Images%20used/Case%20study%20images/shutterstock_191617715.jpeg?noresize) Executive search for multiple roles with a rapidly growing Raxio Case studies](https://millarcameron.com/resource-hub/case-studies/raxio) ## [![Creative cross-industry search to augment and diversify poa! internet's SLT](https://millarcameron.com/hubfs/Rachael%20Playground%20Images%20used/Case%20study%20images/7FD97F07-4B80-49A1-B6AE-B9391F51D707.jpeg?noresize) Creative cross-industry search to augment and diversify poa! 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