Emigrant executive search service launched

Bring them all home!

Alternatives Group, the marketing and recruitment group co-founded in 2000 by Sandra Lawler, is launching Alternatives Elect, an executive search service aimed at the Irish diaspora. Over a coffee and posh biscuits in the Westin hotel, Lawler explained that executive search in Ireland for positions a notch below c-suite level: "The c-suite of tomorrow," she said. Recruiters often come up with "the usual suspects".

“You see the same people being appointed to shortlists again and again.”

Alternatives Elect hits upon the idea of specialising in hunting abroad for Irish senior managers who may want to take up positions at home.

The service is aimed at Irish companies expanding out of Ireland, and global companies establishing bases here or elsewhere in Europe.

Alternatives has appointed an advisory board for the new venture, which includes former senior Ulster Bank executive Carol Bolger, internet foodie hotshot Niall Harbison, InterTradeIreland chief executive Liam Nellis and Tim O'Connor, who chaired the Gathering's advisory board for the Government. Alternatives has partnered with local research firms in countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia – anywhere you are likely to find Irish emigrants.

Often, you’ll find them in a pub watching rugby or GAA.