Gerard Daniels Abu Dhabi office opens as regional hub

The Australian-born headhunter Gerard Daniels now has a permanent foothold in the Gulf. In a statement on Monday, November 2, the firm announced that its new Gerard Daniels Abu Dhabi office, its first anywhere in the UAE, will act as regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa.

The move comes after nearly 20 years of client work in the region, in the same year the company turns 40. Founded in 1986, it already runs offices in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and London.

From its premises at World Trade Center, the team will recruit chief executives, senior managers and board members for clients in Gulf Cooperation Council states and further afield across the Middle East and Africa. Four areas top the agenda: energy, from oil and gas and oilfield services to the transition towards cleaner sources; industrial services together with the building of data centres; infrastructure and the built environment; and mining alongside critical minerals.

Panoramic view of Abu Dhabi skyline with modern towers and turquoise sea

Chief Executive Officer Warren Rushbrook linked the decision to the company’s history in the region.

“Our decision to establish a permanent presence in Abu Dhabi reflects both the strength of our longstanding relationships across the Middle East and our confidence in the region’s future.”

Running the office is James Christian, who holds the title Managing Partner EMEA and moved to the Emirati capital from London. According to the firm, his background lies in counselling companies on top-level hiring and boardroom selection, chiefly in energy and industry, both in the Middle East and on global markets.

“The region continues to attract significant investment, with increasing demand for experienced leadership as businesses grow, diversify and expand internationally,” Christian said.

Gerard Daniels added that 97% of the executives it places are still in their posts two years later.