Adam Neyenhuys

How would you describe your job to someone who knew nothing about the executive search industry?

Executive Search is helping organisations seek out, attract and retain key individual’s that are critical to the making an organisation successful. It involves understanding an organisation and the people that will be effective in working there and matching the two together. It’s a great job if you are inquisitive around commerce and company activities and enjoy working with people, understanding their career goals and seeing people become successful over in their work.

What inspired you to work in the industry?

Like most search professionals I sort of ‘fell into it’ and was initially unaware of the industry sector. I was working as a settlement officer in a bank and was involved in a process for a new role when the agency representing me asked me to consider Recruitment Consulting. That was 17 years ago, and I have worked in Australia and Asia in the Search industry since. I am still passionate about the candidates and clients I serve in the Accounting and Finance space.

Who is the most influential person you’ve ever met? (And why).

It’s hard to single out any one person, but I have sought mentorship from many professionals in Accounting and Finance over the years that have had a very positive influence in my career decisions.

What’s the one thing that gets you out of bed in the morning?

Every day is different a full of opportunity to work with new companies and meet new finance professionals. The variety and opportunity keep me motivated.

What’s your biggest career achievement to date?

Moving with my wife to Hong Kong from Sydney, where we worked for 5 years. The Search market is vastly different there and I led some significant sized searches for leading multinational organisations and built a team around me there. Moving and succeeding in a new country with no contacts and setting a team up was a significant achievement and very satisfying.

What’s the best thing about working at Watermark?

Watermark is a well-resourced Search firm and offers a lot of freedom and autonomy in the way you run and set up your search practice. The environment is energetic and inclusive with a clear vision for growth; this coupled with its outstanding reputation in the marketplace makes for an enjoyable and interesting workplace.

If you never had to work again, how would you spend your time?

Following and attending major sports events around the world with snow sports and wine tours sprinkled in there.