Following the success of our ‘A Day in the Life’ series, which has allowed us to share with you who we are individually and what we do to serve our clients, we would like to spotlight some of the people leading our regional offices at Agreus.
Since our founding over 10 years ago, we have expanded our presence globally, with operations in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States of America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. First, let's meet Jeremy Green, who leads our UK team.
Meet Jeremy Green
Jeremy works from our bustling headquarters office in London. His journey to recruitment began in the finance sector, transitioning from a career in electronics distribution to Forex broking before finding his way in recruitment. After 17 years, he came across recruitment and covering such areas as Real Estate Finance and Private Banking. He later joined his former colleagues, Paul Westall and Tayyab Mohamed in their new business venture Agreus, and has remained there since.
Jeremy’s years of experience with various sectors have allowed him to connect well with Family Office clients and candidates. “Do not try to sell.” he advises. “Family Offices are tired of being sold to. Trying to establish a trusted relationship, as someone to be relied upon to be discrete and deliver on their promises, is a much better way to successfully work with Family Offices.”
Family Offices’ bespoke requirements
One standout success story, he recalls, involved filling a unique role for a Family Office’s philanthropic foundation. Because it was a role completely outside the usual search remit (such as Finance and Investment roles), Jeremy says it was satisfying to successfully complete the placement starting with a completely blank page, sourcing a completely new pool of candidates and it has showcased Agreus's adaptability and commitment to understanding clients' needs.
Jeremy says recruitment for Family Offices has historically not been well served nor understood. He believes this is often due to the challenge of deciphering clients’ requirements. Sometimes, this can be either because a role has unique requirements or because the clients are themselves unsure of what exactly they need from the recruit. “It’s important to listen, ask, listen, ask again and not be afraid to keep asking in order to fully understand the mandate,” he says.
London and Family Offices
In Jeremy’s view, London is attractive for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients because it has historically, always been one of the world's leading financial hubs. This offers access to sophisticated markets, investment opportunities and a wide talent pool; crucial for Family Offices looking for comprehensive support. On top of that, London’s cultural, retail and social scene – top restaurants, high-end shopping and entertainment – as well as access to top-level education, are all highly sought after in the UHNW world.
Career advice
For professionals looking to enter or progress within the Family Office space, Jeremy stresses the importance of genuine interest in the field and recognising its unique characteristics. Family Offices rarely have fleets of assistants to handle the grunt work or to help others when things are busy. Family Office employees must be ready to help their colleagues with entirely different remits to their own.
“One of the CEOs in our network said, if the Principal visits the office and wants a cup of tea, and if the CEO is nearest to the kitchen, then he will be the one who makes it!” he says. Working in a small team requires a problem-solving mindset, a willingness to take on varied responsibilities, often beyond one’s comfort zone and most importantly, leaving egos at the door.
In our next ‘Meet the team’ article we will be speaking with Pierre Pineau, who heads up our Singapore office.
Want to find out more?
Agreus is an established full-service resources and recruitment consultancy dedicated to working exclusively with Family Offices. We have successfully placed executive-level to entry-level professionals in investments, legal, finance and operational roles in Family Offices across the world. Understanding the unique dynamics of a Family Office, Agreus not only provides perfect candidates but also offers advice on compensation and retention.
Whether you are seeking talent for your Family Office or looking for exciting opportunities, Agreus is the go-to partner. Get in touch for a tailored conversation or explore available positions at Agreus Jobs.