Moving into the gambling industry is “a natural expansion” for recruitment company Graham Executive Search, says its CEO Jonathan Graham.
The company, already established in the recruitment business, found its way into the gaming industry when it began to notice an increasing number of technology companies seeking its services that were from the sector.
“I did some research on the ICE tradeshow,” said Graham (pictured), “having seen that we already had a substantial presence with some of the show exhibitors, notably in the security, payments, hosting and software development elements.
“We now see the rest of the sector as ripe for expansion as far as our recruitment services are concerned.”
Graham’s boutique, Leeds-based recruitment company was set up to specialise in the IT sector. Personally, Graham has more than 27 years’ experience in the tech recruitment space. He has worked with both ambitious start-ups and some of the largest global corporations, placing senior-level executives across the globe and helping them shape their strategies.
“The right leadership and the right commercial people in place when driving growth is crucial,” he adds. “We use a combination of insight, common sense, tech and experience to make the perfect match between talent and company.”
Graham is now applying these principles to the gambling industry, focusing on senior commercial and leadership roles. “I see us building out the practice from our traditional technology stronghold with a focus on the online gambling business.”
For Graham, there are only a few subtle differences between the gaming industry and other technology sectors that his team will recognise.
“Every sector has its unique issues and elements,” he starts. “There will be a stronger international flavour to the work in gaming, for example. In truth, top-class recruitment practice is top-class recruitment practice, irrespective of the sector.
“We recently started work in the quantum computing space. What's different? Not a lot, bar the fact that everyone has a PhD, but the recruitment work of being rigorous, diligent and mapping the territories and candidates accurately doesn't change. Be kind. Listen and be detailed and clients grow to love what we do.”
Graham sees a great deal of crossover between the gaming industry and the regular technology markets that he has worked with for years.
“Many of the same technology suppliers, offering payments, know-your customer, anti-money laundering and various software solutions, are deeply integrated into gaming and they are businesses that we know and understand.
“It feels like a natural evolution for us to expand into this space as we have already built a great reputation with tech companies in those adjacent industries, and bringing that expertise into gaming makes perfect sense.”
