EMEA Recruitment Podcast copertina

EMEA Recruitment Podcast

EMEA Recruitment Podcast

Di: EMEA Recruitment & Paul Toms
Ascolta gratuitamente

Covering all elements of the recruitment cycle for both job seekers and hirers. The EMEA Recruitment Podcast with Paul Toms will take you through every aspect of recruitment. Looking at both sides of the process, Paul will be offering career-changing advice to the job-seeker and essential exposure to recruitment 'best practice' for the hiring employer, giving each party an insight and understanding into the perspective of the other. This podcast is brought to you by EMEA Recruitment. At EMEA Recruitment we are specialists in Finance, HR, Procurement, Supply Chain and Operations Recruitment at Middle-Management to Executive levels across Switzerland, The Netherlands and the wider EMEA & US region. With offices in Zug, Amsterdam and Nottingham our consultants are well networked and can offer knowledgeable advice within these regions. The podcast is hosted by founder of EMEA; Paul Toms. To find out more about EMEA recruitment visit https://emearecruitment.eu/, follow EMEA Recruitment on LinkedIn or connect with Paul on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultomsemea© 2018 EMEA Recruitment Economia Gestione e leadership Management
Episodi
  • EMEA Recruitment Podcast #174 - Shaping Renewable Energy: A Career Driven by Curiosity - Christos Kosmas

    EMEA Recruitment Podcast #174 - Shaping Renewable Energy: A Career Driven by Curiosity - Christos Kosmas
    Jun 22 2026
    We were proud to welcome Christos Kosmas, CFO at MorGen Energy, onto the EMEA Recruitment podcast. "The driving force has always been curiosity." Speaking to Paul Toms, the episode begins by exploring what led Christos to the renewable energy sector. In a nutshell, his driving force has always been curiosity. After completing his Engineering studies, Christos recognized optimization problems as an area of interest and sought to work at the intersection between the technical side and the commercial/Finance aspects. Following a role in national gas, Christos went on to complete an MBA, and eventually entered a new territory in Project Finance, where he worked with several new infrastructure and energy-related assets. After his first energy project, he was hooked - energy economics immediately captivated him. After several years in conventional energy, he realized that the future was in renewables and creating a sustainable future. In 2018, he accepted his first role in private equity and has remained in the green sector ever since. A new opportunity arose after becoming a hydrogen subject matter expert. Christos understood the necessity of hydrogen solutions was something the world needed to achieve net zero by 2050 and wanted to play a key role. The renewable energy sector brings challenges, but Christos finds the content of the work and knowing it has a positive societal impact rewarding; it's something he can proudly speak to his children about. Onto his approach to decision-making, Christos believes effective decision-making starts with laying out all available options and assessing them objectively. While tried-and-tested solutions still have value, he emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo, particularly in cutting-edge industries where there is no established blueprint. Rather than thinking in black and white, instead "think in grey," balancing short-term practicality with long-term impact. Using the example of hydrogen facilities, he explains that the cheapest option is not always the best strategic decision, and that data, modeling, and careful analysis are required to making the most sensible decision. This mindset also shapes his approach to continuous improvement. Christos challenges the tendency, particularly common in Finance, to repeat processes simply because "that's how it's always been done" or because it satisfies audit requirements. He advocates for keeping an open mind and consistently looking for ways to improve year after year. Paul asks about Christos's management style. As a manager, Christos takes a people-first approach. He believes employees are more likely to leave managers than companies, and it's his responsibility to create opportunities for his team to learn, develop, and feel appreciated. Rather than acting as a task manager, he focuses creating a supportive environment so the team can perform at their best. He values collaboration and open dialogue, encouraging team members to share their opinions before he offers his own to avoid hierarchy-driven agreement. Once a decision has been made, the team needs to understand why something is being done - that understanding ensures genuine buy-in across the team, as a shared direction is vital. For professionals hoping to follow a similar path, Christos stresses that there is no single path to success. He encourages people, particularly those early in their careers, to take calculated risks, explore different opportunities, and remain open to changing direction. Above all, he advises individuals to understand themselves, choose managers they genuinely want to work with, and seek organizations that will provide opportunities for growth and development. Listen to the end of the episode to hear Christos' opinions on an MBA, as well as his plans for the future in the renewable sector. If you're looking for a particular part of the episode, please use the timestamps below: 01:20: The last thing that made Christos smile 02:50: Defining moments in Christos' career 07:30: Passion for the renewable energy sector 09:50: The attitude to climate change 10:55: Christos' approach to decision-making 13:55: Mindset requirements 18:05: Christos' leadership style 20:05: Personality types and field considerations 22:10: Advice for those looking to emulate Christos' career 24:50: MBA experience and perspective 28:10: Christos' plans for the future The EMEA Recruitment podcast is produced in partnership with Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides life-changing surgery to children born with cleft lip and palate. Find out more about Operation Smile's vital work: https://www.operationsmile.org.uk/partners/emea-recruitment/ If there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, please get in touch with marketing@emearecruitment.com #emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #christoskosmas #paultoms #finance #operationsmile #operationsmileuk #recruitment
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    32 min
  • EMEA Recruitment Podcast #173 - Chris Girling – A Pioneering Career in Cybersecurity

    EMEA Recruitment Podcast #173 - Chris Girling – A Pioneering Career in Cybersecurity
    Jun 8 2026
    We were honored to welcome Chris Girling, Partner, Cyber Risk and Resilience at PwC Switzerland, onto the EMEA Recruitment podcast. "Cybersecurity has become a question of when, not if." Paul Toms asks what ignited Chris' interest in Computer Science and Technology. Growing up in the UK, he describes himself as a "middle of the road" student at secondary school level and was advised not to be too ambitious with further education. Instead, he did the opposite, taking on more subjects than expected and excelling in Economics. For a time, people assumed Chris would head toward a career in Banking or Economics, but his real passion was always Computer Science. He spent evenings building games, coding his own version of Tetris, and teaching himself programming. That passion led him to study Computer Science at the University of Warwick, which he describes as having a pioneering philosophy focused on adaptability, rather than specializing in a single technology. Students were expected to learn huge numbers of programming languages and quickly adapt to change, preparing them for an industry that would constantly evolve. That experience taught Chris how to approach unfamiliar technical challenges with confidence. The conversation then focuses on Chris' career journey. During an internship at Credit Suisse, he combined his interests in Business and Technology by joining the Access Control team. Within days, he had bought textbooks to teach himself the programming languages the bank used and began automating large parts of the team's work. The tools he helped create became the foundation for systems that remained in use until the bank's collapse. He described that period as the moment he realized his career would be built around solving new technical problems and applying technology in practical ways. He later joined Shell's Marine business, supporting around 70 IT applications operating across roughly 80 countries, with only a small team managing the environment. Over several years, he learned multiple programming languages, re-platformed systems, managed outsourcing and offshoring projects, and worked on some of Shell's first .NET deployments when the technology was still brand new. Chris admits that, during those early years, he occasionally had "run-ins" with Security teams because governance was far less mature than it is today, but those experiences ultimately helped shape his interest in Cybersecurity from both the technical and operational side. As his career progressed, Chris moved into Program Management and quickly found himself leading major global initiatives. One of the defining examples was a large European regulatory compliance program at Shell, which was ultimately delivered at around 10% of the cost of competitors because the solution had been designed in a scalable and sustainable way. Chris explains that many organizations continuously add "carbuncles" or layers of complexity onto old systems, whereas he has always enjoyed stripping technology back to build cleaner, more elegant solutions. That mindset naturally led him into Cybersecurity and IT Risk. Chris explains that Shell's internal security policies were among the early foundations that influenced what later became the ISO 27000 Cybersecurity standards. By the late 2000s, Credit Suisse approached him about moving into Cyber and IT Risk full-time, believing Cybersecurity was about to become one of the defining business issues of the next decade. They were looking for someone with both deep technical knowledge and the ability to deliver large-scale programs, which became a major turning point in his career. Paul asks about other defining moments within Chris' career. Looking back on his 16 years in Cybersecurity roles, Chris describes himself as a "troubleshooter" who repeatedly moved into the most challenging areas of Security at the time. He explains that Security technology constantly evolves, with attackers adapting so quickly that solutions can become outdated within only a few years. That gave him opportunities to work across multiple technologies and disciplines, rather than remaining siloed in one specialism. Chris also highlights several defining industry moments during his time at Credit Suisse. Around 2012, he worked with UK regulators to help shift industry thinking away from pure "Security" toward the concept of Cyber Resilience - preparing organizations for how they would respond when incidents inevitably happened, rather than assuming prevention alone was enough. Later, in 2018, he helped architect Quantum Dawn, the first ever global Cybersecurity exercise of all banks worldwide, testing how the industry would respond to a major cyberattack affecting global markets. Chris delves into how Cybersecurity leadership has evolved over time and his recent board position. Earlier in his career, Security leaders often focused purely on technical delivery, whereas accountability increasingly sits at board level today. Since ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    54 min
  • EMEA Recruitment Podcast #172 - Finance Leadership and the Human Element – Jakub Bejnarowicz

    EMEA Recruitment Podcast #172 - Finance Leadership and the Human Element – Jakub Bejnarowicz
    Oct 14 2025
    We were pleased to welcome Jakub Bejnarowicz, Regional Director, Europe at AICPA & CIMA, onto the EMEA Recruitment podcast. The conversation opens light-heartedly, with Jakub sharing a recent moment when his three-year-old son imitated him by putting papers into a folder and saying, "I am going to work," which made him smile. He reflects on how children observe and mimic behaviors, wondering if his son might one day follow in his professional footsteps. The discussion then turns to our upcoming event, How to Manage with Impact: The Human Side of Leadership, taking place on Thursday 23rd October in Zurich, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Jakub will be one of four senior panelists sharing their insights and experiences. He encourages Finance and business leaders, as well as CIMA members, to attend – register now. When asked about his career journey, Jakub explains that he began by promoting higher education internationally, recruiting students and faculty, and fostering cross-border academic partnerships. A turning point came when a recruiter approached him to establish CIMA's operations in Central and Eastern Europe, starting in Poland. Jakub has now worked with the organization for almost 15 years. He finds it inspiring to collaborate with highly skilled Finance professionals and leaders to help them upskill. What excites him most is connecting people, building teams, and forming partnerships across Europe, including with local recruiters and educational institutions, to help individuals succeed in the profession. For Jakub, this work connects deeply with his heart, making his role especially meaningful. Over time, he's learned that while Europe's diversity is its strength, it also requires understanding of each country's unique education systems and professional traditions. For CIMA, that means building bridges, creating partnerships with local institutions, and finding shared purpose. He's particularly proud of initiatives like the recently launched CFO Program in Geneva. Above all, Jakub says that success always comes down to people: investing time to build genuine relationships, earning trust, and finding common goals. Relationships, he notes, take time to cultivate, especially in Finance, where credibility and trust develop gradually. Asked about his passion for helping people, Jakub shares that he developed people skills over time. Attending boarding school helped him gain independence and confidence. He also credits his upbringing - his father was a mayor and his mother a general manager of a production facility - for exposing him to leadership and relationship-building from an early age. Paul and Jakub discuss how Finance roles have evolved. CFO and Finance Director positions were once perceived as back-office and technical, but they have become much more about business partnering, influencing, and driving impact. Touching on the future of Finance, Jakub explains that AICPA & CIMA provide valuable insights to its nearly 600,000 members, candidates, and registrants, as well as the wider Finance and business community, through surveys, research, and reports - such as Re-defining Finance for a Sustainable World. Finance, he says, is all about acquiring financial and relevant information, processing it, and turning it into actionable insights. While many Accounting operations are increasingly automated, accuracy and integration remain crucial. Those entering or developing in the Finance profession now need a different skillset: the ability to embrace technology, communicate strategically, and tell a clear story through numbers. Jakub notes that the Finance structure has evolved from a triangle to a diamond shape, with fewer people at entry levels and greater emphasis on advanced skills and leadership potential. He stresses the growing focus on stakeholders and long-term value creation, integrating financial, social, and natural capital, while understanding business models and co-creating value. Jakub explains that today's Finance professionals must blend deep technical expertise with strong communication and people skills, becoming what he calls "T-shaped professionals." While technology and automation manage more routine work, the human side of Finance - storytelling, empathy, and authentic leadership - is what truly drives success. These qualities, he adds, develop through experience and a genuine desire to make an impact, helping professionals grow into trusted business partners and even future CEOs. He also highlights the importance of inspiring the next generation, showing that Finance is no longer rigid or traditional, but a dynamic, tech-driven, and people-focused career path. Use the timestamps below to find the part of the episode that interests you most: Timestamps 01:15: The last thing that made Jakub smile 02:55: What to expect at our upcoming event 06:15: How Jakub joined CIMA and what keeps him inspired 11:15: Key lessons ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    41 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Ancora nessuna recensione